Top Hats and Coat Tails: It's Royal Ascot time! (Part 1)

This week in England, it's the big meet of the year at Ascot Racecourse. Horses all over the world come there to compeate in races that go through Saturday. Among this year's contenders are six horses from Wesley Ward that will all be ridden by John Velesquez, orginally they where going to be ridden by Rene Douglas, before his career ending injury at Arlington.

Before the Americans took to the track, there was an huge upset. Dubai Duty Free winner Gladiatorus went down in the Queen Anne (Eng-G1) to Paco Boy. This shakes up the mile divideson in Europe and sets up a very interestesting showdowns later this year and possibly in the BC Mile at Santa Anita. Gladiatorus finshed up track, however this was his first start for Godolphin, but then again Godolphin in Europe has been struggling (And their ace in the hole here in the US was fourth in her return on Saturday. But we aren't talking about Music Note).

Up next was the King's Stand (Eng-G1), this race has been dominated by the Aussies the past few years, among those winner's Australia's modern day Seabiscuit Takeover Target (Although I think he's more like Lava Man). He wasn't in today's race, but he'll be in Saturday's Golden Jubaliee (Eng-G1). The American's had the first of two runner's of the day with Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Cannonball (Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey of course are more known for their two superstars Roses in May and Kitten's Joy. And speaking of KJ, congrats to him as he got his first winner last weekend.). The Aussies however, once again won it, this time with Scentic Blast. BC Turf Sprint 4th place finsher Fleeting Sprit was second. And for you Cannonball fans, he did okay finishing 6th after trailing the field and closing late. If he recovers well, maybe we'll see him on Saturday.

Up next was the Coventry S. (Eng-G2). This race was the first of two 2yo races on the day (the other featured a Ward trainee, but I'll get to that later on in the post). The race was won by Canford Cliffs.

The longest race of the day was the Ascot S. How long was it? 2 1/2 miles! The winner was Judgethemoment and was one of two American bred horses that won.

The big race of the day was the St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-1), which was won by Ballydoyle's Mastercraftsman. This could be the #2 3yo in Europe (Behind Sea the Stars), but we shall see when/if they meet up (Unless they already have).

Last, but not least history was made when the Tiger Ridge gelding, Strike the Tiger, became the first American based horse to win at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle S. Congrats to Wesley Ward, his owners and Johnny V. Not bad for a horse who broke his maiden in a 30k claiming race at Churchill in April. I wonder how the Brits feel about this win? My guess is they will be looking at poly preps for him, for the BC Juvy or BC Juvy Turf. BTW he also becomes only the third US based horse to win in Europe, before him there was Irish 2000 Guineas winner Fourstar Allstar (the kid brother of New York legend Fourstardave), and 1928 Derby winner Reigh Count who won the 1929 Cornonation Cup at Epsom.

So what's on tap for tomarrow, BC Juvy Turf winner Donativum returns in his second race of the year. He had to skip the Classic races due to him being ineligable since he is a gelding. Also for you Megahertz fans, her little sister Heaven Sent runs, and Wesley Ward sends out Jealous Again, who unlike her history making stablemate is already a graded stakes placed in the US thanks to her 2nd place finish against the boys Derby week.

Thursday is the big day for me as my favorite Euro, Yeats runs. Please Aidan, send him to the Marathon this year PLEASE!!!!!! He could destroy the field, okay yeah it's on ProRide, but you saw how Henry ran on it last year.

I will have a post on this weekends DelCap/Oaks preps on Friday!