Bonfire, unraced since finishing third in the Group 1 Criterium International in France last year, will be favored to win his 3-year-old debut in Thursday’s Group 2 Dante Stakes at York, England.
Trained by Andrew Balding, Bonfire is considered a leading contender for the English Derby at Epsom Downs on June 2, a position he can solidify in the Dante Stakes, which is run over about 1 1/4 miles and has drawn a field of seven.
The Fugue, a Dansili filly who was fourth in the English 1000 Guineas on May 6, starts in Wednesday’s Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York Racecourse, a prep for the English Oaks at Epsom Downs on June 1.
Trained by John Gosden, The Fugue was 12-1 in future-book betting for the English Oaks over the weekend. The filly has made two starts, having won a maiden race in her debut last fall.
Lucayan, untested in group stakes competition, upset the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) on Sunday at Longchamp in Paris.
Fast-closing third-place finisher Furner’s Green, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Joseph O’Brien, broke a foreleg after the finish and had to be euthanized. The horse’s rider fell but was reportedly uninjured.
Black Caviar is bound for Royal Ascot in June with an undefeated record after 21 starts.
Saturday in Australia, Black Caviar won her final start of the Australian season with an easy score in the Group 1 Goodwood Stakes at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide.
Sunday’s Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) on Sunday at Longchamp brings about a rematch between Dragon Pulse and 2-year-old star Dabirsim – with a touch, of course, of Aidan O’Brien thrown in.
The undefeated Australian star Black Caviar has a fan in trainer John Shirreffs, a man who knows a thing or two about managing a mare on a winning streak.
Last month, Shirreffs watched on television as Black Caviar stretched her unbeaten streak to 20 races with a comfortable win in the Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville Racecourse, near Adelaide, Australia.
The Irish invaders Call to Battle and David Livingston, both stakes winners last year at 2, are expected to dominate Thursday’s Group 3 Chester Vase at Chester Racecourse in England.
The Chester Vase, run over about 1 1/2 miles on turf for 3-year-old colts and geldings, is a prep for the English Derby at Epsom Downs on June 2.
Homecoming Queen, who finished last of 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs last November, pulled a shock upset in Sunday’s English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse, leading throughout the one-mile race.
Homecoming Queen gave Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien a sweep of the English 1000 and 2000 Guineas. He won Saturday’s 2000 Guineas with Camelot, the future-book favorite for the English Derby in June.