Looking to consolidate his 12 wins at Royal Ascot, trainer Wesley Ward sent several horses intended to fight at the prestigious meeting—all lobbied by Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables—for the lanes. light breeze on Friday morning on Keeneland turf.
First appearance on the field is American Rascal (make for curly). ‘TDN’s Rising Star’ status for his towering 10 1/4-long win in the 4 1/2-long first match on the Keeneland main track on April 20. Ward stated that he was pleased with the half move. miles from American Rascal (: 50 flat), his fellow friend Fandom (GB) (Exhibition) traveled the same distance in :49 3/5. The latter won her maidenhood on April 27 with a 6 3/4 long bow.
“Julio [Garcia] was above him,” Ward said of American Rascal. “I want him to work well and be comfortable. Today was an extremely impressive workout. To look at this horse, he is all speed. He looks like a backrunner: muscle on muscle, very compact. Just excited to see the next few pieces here. As long as all goes well, we’re on our way [June 22 G2] Norfolk [S.] And we’re really excited about that.”
Fandom’s Royal Ascot target has yet to be determined.
‘TDN Rising Stars’ Twilight Sparkle (Ire) (Defense {GB}) and Love reigns (Ire) (United States Navy Flag), each leaving Keeneland wins, and each is set to appear for a second time at Royal Ascot, winning four company feathers at odds: 50.40. Twilight Gleaming, runner-up at G2 Queen Mary S. 2021, won the Giant’s Causeway S. in April and ran June 20 at G1 King’s Stand S., while Love Reigns placed a solid fourth at Queen Mary last year. This year’s FanDuel Limestone S. winner can enter the age-restricted G1 Commonwealth Cup on June 23.
“Those are two great pieces, too,” Ward said. “Julio [on Twilight Gleaming] broke out pretty far behind Love Reigns and built a comfortable lead in lane. They finished together at the wire.
Ward is also likely represented by Three Chimneys Farm’s Bunchen (gunman), who slipped his nose when Keeneland debuted on April 28 and is a company employee of GI Jaipur S.-bound Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile). candy maker (spinning candy), the first winner of a grass-court sprint at Horseshoe Indianapolis on May 22, beating Team Ward.
Weeding work at Keeneland is scheduled for next two Fridays. Ward said his Royal Ascot team will leave Indianapolis on June 14 on a direct flight to London Stansted Airport. They will spend a few days at nearby Chelmsford Racecourse before moving to Ascot.
Ward said Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Joel Rosario will ride Royal Ascot on the horses they rode.
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged American Rascal, Bunchen, candy maker, fan, Julio Garcia, Keeneland, love reigns, Royal Ascot, Twilight Sparkle, Wesley Ward.
