Thu, 06/16/2011 - 16:03

Royal Ascot: Delegator vulnerable in Golden Jubilee

Delegator is the best-known horse and possible favorite for the Group 1 Golden Jubilee on Saturday at Royal Ascot, but his credentials for the five-furlong dash hardly are impeccable. Delegator has been a miler for most of his career, and the change in course conditions late this week, from good-firm to good-soft, might not be to his advantage, either.

Thu, 06/16/2011 - 15:10

Royal Ascot: Fame and Glory cruises in Gold Cup

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The question was whether Fame and Glory, the most talented horse in the Ascot Gold Cup, could stay the race’s demanding 2 1/2-mile distance. The answer was a resounding yes, as Fame and Glory captured the Group 1 Gold Cup by three lengths under Jamie Spencer. Opinion Poll finished second, Brigantin third, and Manighar fourth.

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 16:30

Breeders' Cup Mile under consideration for Canford Cliffs

Trainer Richard Hannon sent out Strong Suit to win the Group 3 Jersey Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs in the first race at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, but there was bigger news from the Hannon camp, with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill now considered a strong option for Canford Cliffs, who won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday and ranks as Europe’s top miler.

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 13:26

Royal Ascot: More Than Real up against it in Coronation Stakes

More Than Real, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs last fall, faces a formidable task when she makes her 2011 debut in Friday’s Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in England.

The premier race of the Royal Ascot meeting for 3-year-old fillies will also be More Than Real’s first start outside of North America.

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 12:50

Royal Ascot: Rewilding upsets in Prince of Wales's

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Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:12

Royal Ascot: Fame and Glory favored in Ascot Gold Cup marathon

Because of its 1 1/2-mile distance, unusually long by American dirt-racing standards, some refer to the Belmont Stakes, run last Saturday, as the Test of the Champion. Compared with the Ascot Gold Cup, the Belmont is mere child’s play.

One and one-half miles into the Group 1 Gold Cup, the runners at Royal Ascot on Thursday still will have a full mile left on their journey. Deep lungs and powerful heart will be prized over fleet feet, and favored Fame and Glory still has to prove he can see out the 20-furlong Gold Cup.

Tue, 06/14/2011 - 11:04

Ascot: Frankel hangs on in St. James's Palace to remain undefeated

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Frankel takes the St. James's Palace on Tuesday's opening day at Royal Ascot.

The style of racing was different, but the result was unchanged – Frankel stretched his unbeaten streak to seven races after a thrilling win in Tuesday’s Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Unlike his six-length win in the English 2000 Guineas in late April, when he led throughout, Frankel stalked pacesetter Rerouted for the first half-mile of the St. James’s Palace Stakes, took a comfortable lead with a quarter-mile remaining, but was fully extended to win the one-mile race for 3-year-olds.

Tue, 06/14/2011 - 10:05

Ascot: Canford Cliffs wears down Goldikova in Queen Anne

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Canford Cliffs won his fifth consecutive Group 1 race in the Queen Anne, finishing a length in front of three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova, beaten for the first time since August.

Ridden by Richard Hughes for trainer Richard Hannon, Canford Cliffs was fifth early, stalking pacesetter Flash Dance. Goldikova was third for the first half of the one-mile race run on a straightaway.

Mon, 06/13/2011 - 14:25

Royal Ascot: So You Think brings strong form to Prince of Wales's Stakes

He burst onto the scene in Australia last fall, winning three Group 1 races in six weeks and finishing third in the Melbourne Cup. Then, he conquered Ireland last month, winning two group stakes with ease.

On Wednesday, So You Think invades England, where the 5-year-old New Zealand-bred horse will be a heavy favorite to win the fifth Group 1 race of his career in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes over 1 1/4 miles at Royal Ascot. The race carries a purse of approximately $650,000 and is the lone Group 1 on the six-race program.

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 17:09

French Oaks: Golden Lilac holds off Goldikova's half-sister

Golden Lilac, the winner of the French 1000 Guineas last month, extended her domination of that country’s 3-year-old filly division with a one-length victory in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly on Sunday.

Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Golden Lilac closed from fifth in the field of nine, taking the lead with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and holding off a late threat from even-money favorite Galikova, a half-sister to Goldikova, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile from 2008-10.