Steeler earns Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf berth in Royal Lodge

Steeler gamely won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday by one length over Artigiano. Steeler, by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass, gained a fees-paid berth into the BC Juvenile Turf, the Royal Lodge being a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, but trainer Mark Johnston said the Racing Post Trophy would be Steeler’s primary fall objective. Steeler, ridden by Kieren Fallon, has won three of his five starts.

The Royal Lodge was also the first race ever to offer qualifying points for the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs has moved to a points system to determine the field for the Derby, scrapping the previous system of graded stakes earnings. The Royal Lodge’s first four finishers earned points toward qualifying for the Derby, with Steeler receiving 10 points, Artigiano 4, third-place Al Waab 2, and fourth finisher Birdman getting 1.