In this weekend’s North American graded-stakes action, all eyes are on the return of Eclipse Award winner Never Explain in the $150,000 Grade III Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park. Trainer Chad Brown’s horse, Tribhuvan, is the morning-line favorite after a nearly 10-month layoff. Meanwhile, across the pond, the Royal Ascot is preparing for its annual event, with new king King Charles III taking the reins and jockey Frankie Dettori competing for the last time. The Prix de Diane, or French Oaks, will showcase 3-year-old fillies battling it out, while South America will host another Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race. Let’s dive into the action!
On the turf, the $150,000 Grade III Monmouth Stakes promises exciting competition, with six horses racing 1 1/8 miles. Chad Brown’s Tribhuvan, a 7-year-old making his debut this season, is the favorite. However, Never Explain, winner of three consecutive races including the Grade III Dinner Party at Pimlico, poses a strong challenge. Brown has a reputation for success with well-rested horses, making this race a highly anticipated one.
The $175,000 Chorleywood Stakes at Ellis Park is another must-watch event, with nine horses competing over 1 1/4 miles. Foreign Relations, winner of the Grade III Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs, holds slightly higher odds at 2-1. However, Therapist, who won the Grade II Pan American at Gulfstream Park, is not far behind at 3-1. The race is wide open, and any horse could emerge victorious.
Moving on to Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita, six horses will tackle the challenging 1 3/4-mile distance. Offlee Naughty, who has won two consecutive graded stakes races at shorter distances, stands out in this field. Defeating several notable contenders in his previous races, he has proven his capabilities. This race will test his stamina and determination.
In the filly & mare turf category, Consumer Spending and Gina Romantica, both trained by Chad Brown, are the favorites in the $150,000 Grade III Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park. Gina Romantica, winner of the Grade I QE II Cup at Keeneland, is expected to put up a strong fight. Consumer Spending finished second in the Grade III Beaugay at Belmont Park and will be looking for redemption. These two horses will surely provide an exciting competition.
Among the 3-year-olds, the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park presents a chance for a new leader to emerge. Kingsbarns, trained by Todd Pletcher, is a top contender. After winning his first three starts, including the Louisiana Derby, he stumbled in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 14th. However, his form suggests he can bounce back. He faces tough competition, especially from Howgreatisnate, who won the Long Branch over the same course in impressive fashion.
In the classic and dirt mile events, Artorius, another talented Chad Brown charge, is the morning-line favorite in the $150,000 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park. While he faced setbacks in his last races, including the Travers and Keeneland, his previous performances showed promise. On the other hand, Nimitz Class boasts an impressive five consecutive wins, although against somewhat easier competition than Artorius faced last year.
The distaff category features Wet Paint, fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, and Hoosier Philly, second in the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan, as the top contenders in the $150,000 Monomoy Girl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Ellis Park. It will be interesting to see if these two horses can continue their good form and outperform their rivals in this race.
Defending Eclipse Award champion Goodnight Olive returns to action in Saturday’s $200,000 Grade II Bed o’ Roses Stakes at Belmont Park. Despite finishing third in her most recent start due to traffic problems, she impressed with an unbeaten record in four starts last year, including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Wicked Halo, second in the Derby City Distaff, will be looking to challenge her in this race.
In the juvenile division, the $100 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita promises thrilling competition with six colts tackling 5 1/2 furlongs. Tranche, despite finishing seventh in his debut at Keeneland, showed improvement in the Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs, where he finished third. Going Mobile and Refocus have won their previous races and pose a threat. Next Level, Harry Houdini, and Mirahmadi will all be making their debuts, with Mirahmadi being the favorite.
For the juvenile fillies, the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante at Santa Anita will feature a field of five, three of which were first-race winners. Becky’s Dream and Crazy Hot are the morning-line favorites, while the others will be gaining valuable experience in their first race. This will be an exciting event, showcasing the talent of young fillies.
On the international front, the Group 1 Prix de Diane, also known as the French Oaks, has 15 confirmations. Running Lion, trained by John and Thady Gosden, stands out as a favorite. With four consecutive wins on various surfaces, including a decisive victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, she proves to be a formidable competitor. Other contenders in this race include Novakai, Jannah Rose, Blue Rose Cen, Lindy, and Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story.
In Brazil, the Group 1 Grande Premio Brasil (G1) for 4-year-olds and up at Hipodromo da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro serves as a “Win and You’re In” Challenge race for the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. This race brings together top horses to compete for a spot in the prestigious Breeders’ Cup.
Lastly, the highly anticipated Royal Ascot is just around the corner. This year’s event brings the added question of how King Charles III will play a role in the festivities. While missing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s patronage, the event aims to rebound from last year’s pandemic gloom. Jockey Frankie Dettori, a long-time Royal Ascot champion, will bid farewell midway through his retirement tour. The American invasion, led by Hong Kong stayer Wellington and a contingent of Australian sprinters, adds an international flair to the competition. Trainer Wesley Ward, known for pioneering the presence of American horses at Royal Ascot, brings his usual complement of 2-year-olds. American Rascal, whose dam is Lady Aurelia, is a particularly exciting entry. The British Horseracing Authority prioritizes horse welfare with enhanced prerace veterinary examinations.
Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes, Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and Thursday’s Gold Cup, among other exciting races during the Royal Ascot. This renowned event promises to deliver top-class horseracing action complemented by the royal pageantry that sets it apart.
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