Breeders' Cup Challenge | Horse Racing Free Tips

Chrono Genesis Takes On Males In ‘Win And You’re In’ Takarazuka Kinen

Top female stars Chrono Genesis (JPN), the defending champion, and undefeated Lei Papale (JPN) lead 13 runners for Sunday's US$3 million, 1 3/8-mile Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse. The winner of Sunday's race will receive an automatic berth and fees paid into the US$4million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Takarazuka Kinen winner to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 ½ miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 in order to receive the rewards.

The Takarazuka Kinen, the fourth Breeders' Cup Challenge race to be held in Japan this year, will be run in a clockwise direction. The race will be televised live on TVG.

Sunday Racing's 5-year-old Chrono Genesis, trained by Takashi Saito, won last year's race by 6 lengths as the 4-1 second choice. A gray daughter of Bago (FR) out of the Kurofune mare Chronologist (JPN), Chrono Genesis has seven wins and has finished out of the money just once in 14 starts. Last year's Takarazuka Kinen triumph was her second Group 1 win, following her October 2019 victory in the Shuka Sho at Kyoto against 3-year-old fillies. Her third Group 1 came last December at Nakayama where she captured the 1 ½-mile Arima Kinen by a neck. In her lone start this year, Chrono Genesis had a rough trip in the closing stages of the 1 ½-mile Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan battling in between Loves Only You (JPN) and Mishriff (IRE) to the wire, and finishing second to Mishriff by a neck.

“She got bumped quite badly last time in the Dubai Sheema Classic and it was an unlucky race for her, but she still ran well,” said Saito to JRA.com. “Having returned and completed quarantine at Miki Horseland Park, she then went to Northern Farm Shigaraki to settle back in on her return. She came back to the stable on June 2, and in her first piece of work after that, she seemed a little heavy, but soon got switched on in her usual way of doing things.”

Christophe Lemaire has the mount aboard Chrono Genesis from post seven.

Lei Papale, owned by U Carrot Farm and trained by Tomokazu Takano, has won all six of her races, three of them over the Hanshin course. A 4-year-old bay daughter of Deep Impact (JPN), Lei Papale is coming off a spectacular wire-to-wire win by 4 lengths in the 1 ¼-mile Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin on April 4 at 12-1. That victory was her second triumph of the year against males. She closed out 2021 by taking the 1 ¼-mile Challenge Cup (G3) at Hanshin on Dec. 5. “She would certainly be one of the main threats to Chrono Genesis,” said Takano. “There was some concern with the ground last time, but she went straight to the front and ran very cleverly to go on and win well. I put a lot of that down to the jockey's efforts. After that, the horse had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, and she has recovered from her last race quite quickly and looks to be in good condition.” Her regular jockey Yuga Kawada will once again be in the saddle breaking from post two.

Takashi Suzuki's 5-year-old mare Curren Bouquetd'or (JPN), finished third in the demanding 2-mile Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) over the Hanshin course, beaten 2 ¾ lengths. Trained by Sakae Kunieda, Curren Bouquetd'or, a bay daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) has just two wins in 15 starts, but has seven second-place finishes, including the 2019 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1) and 2019 Japan Cup (G1). “Last time she pressed on at the end to try and win the race, but just got caught and had to settle for third,” said Kunieda. “It was her first time over 3,200 meters, and she did pull a bit. The shorter distance will suit, and she showed she can handle the Hanshin track in that last run.” Curren Bouquetd'or will be ridden by Keita Tosaki from post 10.

Another runner coming out of the Tenno Sho is Hideko Kondo's 4-year-old homebred Aristoteles (JPN). Trained by Hidetaka Otonashi, Aristoteles, a son of Epiphaneia, finished fourth in the Tenno Sho as the 7-2 second choice. Last October, he finished second by a neck to Contrail (JPN) in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). He opened 2021 with a victory in the 1 3/8-mile American Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Nakayama on Jan. 21. Yutaka Take, a four-time winner of the Takarazuka Kinen, has the mount from post nine.

Tatsue Ishikawa's Kiseki (JPN) and Capital System Co.'s Mozu Bello (JPN), finished second and third, respectively, behind Chrono Genesis in last year's race. Trained by Yasuyuki Tsujino, the 7-year-old Kiseki, by Rulership (JPN), a four-time winner, returns from Hong Kong, where he finished a solid fourth, beaten 2 ¾ lengths, in the 1 ¼-mile FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin on April 25. Kiseki, who also finished second in the 2019 Takarazuka Kinen, won the 2017 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). Kiseki will be ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga from post 13.

At odds of 68-1, the 5-year-old Mozu Bello closed from 10th to second place behind Lei Papale in the Osaka Hai. Trained by Naoyuki Morita and ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe from post 11, Mozu Bello is a bay son of Deep Brillante (JPN) out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Harlan's Rudy. Mozu Bello has also won four races, but his last triumph came in January 2019 when he won the Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2) at Kyoto.

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Weekend Lineup: Churchill Closes Out Spring Meet With Pair Of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races

Nine graded stakes will be contested in North America on Saturday. Churchill Downs closes its spring meeting with a card of seven stakes races featuring the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis for fillies and mares, led by Letruska, and Grade 2 Stephen Foster for older horses, headlined by Maxfield. Winners of both races earn automatic starting berths into the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, respectively.

Thistledown hosts the Grade 3 Ohio Derby for 3-year-olds, and Grade 1 Steeplechase action will take place outside Nashville with the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.

TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Monmouth Park and Gulfstream Park, and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live on Saturday, June 26 on FS2 from 12:30-6:30 p.m., and on SNY from 5-6:30 p.m., from Belmont Park and Churchill Downs. On Sunday, June 27, America's Day at the Races will be live on FS2 from 12:30-5:30 p.m., and on SNY from 5-5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 26

2:45 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on FS2

Five fillies and mares are challenging two-time Grade 1 winner Letruska in the Grade 2, $300,000 Fleur de Lis at 1 1/8 miles, “Win and You're In” for the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar. St. George Stable's 5-year-old Letruska gained a national reputation after defeating Monomoy Girl, the reigning older female dirt champion, in Oaklawn's Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April. She collared her second Grade 1 by taking the Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 5, and secured an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska will break from post 6 under Jose Ortiz. Walking Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farms' 4-year-old Envoutante, trained by Ken McPeek, finished just a length behind Shedaresthedevil in the Grade 1 La Troienne on April 30, came back and won the listed Shawnee Stakes over the Churchill strip on May 29. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call from post 4. Robert and Lawana Low's 4-year-old Spice Is Nice won the Grade 3 Allaire DuPont Match Series Stakes on May 14 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. She will break from post 5 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA5-EQB.html

4:30 p.m. – $100,000 Grade 3 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Live Oak Plantation's Souper Escape is the defending champion and 2-1 morning line favorite in an eight-horse field of fillies and mares for the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine's all-weather track. A Florida homebred by Medaglia d'Oro, trained by Michael Trombetta, Souper Escape, making her 2021 debut, has won six races. She took the Grade 3 Seaway at Woodbine last August following his frontrunning 4 ½-length win in the Trillium. Luis Contreras has the mount from post 2. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has entered three runners in Heavenly Curlin, Skygaze and Crystal Glacier. Heavenly Curlin, ridden by Emma-Jane Wilson from post 8, is two for two at Woodbine, including last year's Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO062621CAN7-EQB.html

4:40 p.m.―$250,000 Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont Park on FS2 and SNY

A 9 ¾-length romp in just her second start has made Three Chimneys Farm's Always Carina the even-money morning line favorite for the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Mother Goose for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont. Trained by Chad Brown, Always Carina broke her maiden at Aqueduct in March and then dominated an optional allowance claiming race at 1 mile on May 10. The bay daughter of Malibu Moon will be ridden from post 2 by Flavien Prat. Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden from post 3 by Irad Ortiz Jr., won the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds in February, and will try to get back into the winner's circle after a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and a fourth in the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks. Gary Barber's Make Mischief has won three of six this year and is looking to break through with her first stakes win following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 5 at Belmont.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL062621USA8-EQB.html

4:55 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on FS2

A field of 11, including one filly, is set for North America's first graded stakes race of the year for 2-year-olds in the 120th Bashford Manor Stakes, a Grade 3 event run at 6 furlongs at Churchill Downs. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has won the Bashford Manor a record six times. On Saturday, he sends out Winchell Thoroughbreds Red Run, a chestnut son Gun Runner, who Asmussen trained to the 2017 Horse of the Year title. On May 9 at Churchill, Red Run took the lead in the stretch of a 5-furlong maiden race and won by 1 ¾ lengths. Ricardo Santana Jr. will ride, breaking from post 9. Asmussen has also entered Willis Horton Racing's Canadian-bred Lansdowne, who on May 22 went to the front early in a 5-furlongs maiden race at Churchill and won by 1 ½ lengths. The gray/roan son of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will be ridden by Jon Court from post 2. Another gray entered is Robert Masterson's Glacial, a son of Frosted, trained by Norm Casse, who broke his maiden May 29 on debut by 2 ½ lengths in a 5 ½-furlong race at Churchill. Joe Talamo has the mount breaking from post 4. The lone filly is John, Ken and Ennis Dodsworth's Shesgotattitude, a daughter of Tiznow, trained by John Ennis. Shesgotattitude broke her maiden against fillies on April 8 at Keeneland and then finished fourth against males in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill on April 28. James Graham will ride from post 11.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA9-EQB.html

5:04 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on TVG

A wide-open field of 11 3-year-olds has been entered for the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby at Thistledown, with the Todd Pletcher-trained Promise Keeper the 7-2 morning line favorite. Owned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, WinStar Farm and Rock Ridge Racing, Promise Keeper, a son of Constitution, has won three of five starts, including his last out in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park on May 8. Luis Saez has the mount from post 1. Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury is making his first start since winning Keeneland's Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths at 18-1 on April 10. The chestnut son of Curlin, trained by Kenny McPeek, will be ridden by Corey Lanerie from post 4. Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith and Spendthrift Farm's Keepmeinmind, trained by Robert Diodoro, won last year's Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club. This year, the son of the late Laoban finished seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and fourth in the Grade 1 Preakness. David Cohen has the mount from post 8. Godolphin's Proxy, trained by Mike Stidham, finished second in the Grade 2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds in March. Joe Bravo will ride the son of Tapit from post 9.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/TDN062621USA9-EQB.html

5:26 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs on FS2

Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's 5-year-old New York-bred Somelikeithotbrown, a two-time Grade 2 winner, and Juddmonte's Set Piece (GB), lead a 10-horse field in the Grade 2, $300,000 Wise Dan Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill turf course. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post 3 by Jose Ortiz, Somelikeithotbrown scored a 1-length victory in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico on May 15. The bay son of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has won seven races, including last year's Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga. The Brad Cox-trained 5-year-old gelding Set Piece has taken a liking to the Churchill turf course this spring with black type wins in the Opening Verse on April 29 and the Douglas Park on May 29. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 1. Maker has also entered Three Diamonds Farm's Maryland-bred 4-year-old Field Pass, fourth in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 9, but trailed a field of eight in the Grade 1 Man o' War at Belmont on May 8. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides from post 8. John Oxley and My Meadowview Farm's 6-year-old Ride a Comet won the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January and was second in the Maker's Mark Mile. A bay son of Candy Ride (ARG), Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Ride a Comet from post 7.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA10-EQB.html

5:30 p.m. ― $100,000 Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes at Percy Warner Park on NSA.com

Riding an eight-race winning streak, Bruton Street's 7-year-old gelding Snap Decision leads a seven-horse field of Steeplechase runners in the 80th running of the Grade 1, 2 ¾-mile Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes over hurdles at Percy Warner Park outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Snap Decision, trained by Jack Fisher and ridden Graham Watters, romped by 9 ½ lengths in the Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey Stakes at Middleburg, Virginia, in his seasonal debut, defeating Irvin Naylor's Amschel (GB), Hudson River Farm's Galway Kid (IRE), and Sonny Via's Footpad (FR), all of whom are entered in the Iroquois. Footpad, also trained by Fisher, and ridden by Sean McDermott, has won 11 of 27 races and more than $900,000. Galway Kid is exiting a hard-fought neck victory in the Grade 3 David Semmes Memorial hurdle stakes (Grade 3) at the Virginia Gold Cup Races, in which Naylor's 8-year-old gelding Bedrock finished third.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/PW062621USA7-EQB.html

5:59 p.m. – $600,000 Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on FS2

Godolphin's 4-year-old Maxfield, a winner in six of seven starts, leads nine horses entered in the $600,000 Grade 2 Stephen Foster going 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs. Returning twice from setbacks over the course of two years in which he won his first six starts ― including victories in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and the Grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes ― Maxfield suffered his first defeat when finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. However, the dark bay son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense rebounded on April 30 with a sharp 3 ¼-length victory in Churchill's Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes. Jose Ortiz will ride Maxfield from post 8. Tom Durant's 7-year-old gelding Silver Dust, has won seven races for trainer Bret Calhoun, including the April 10 Grade 2 Ben Ali at Keeneland. Adam Beschizza has the mount from post 4. The Estate of James J. Coleman Jr.'s Virginia-bred Chess Chief, third in the Alysheba Stakes, won the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes at the Fair Grounds in March. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Chess Chief will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 1. The Stephen Foster winner will gain an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA11-EQB.html

7:13 p.m. ― $100,000 Grade 3 Chicago Stakes at Arlington Park on TVG

Full of Fun Racing and Madaket Stables' Dreamalildreamofyou leads 11 fillies and mares entered in Arlington's 7-furlong Grade 3 Chicago Stakes. A 4-year-old daughter of Commissioner, trained by Brad Cox, Dreamalildramofyou has won four of nine starts, and was recently second in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series Stakes at Pimlico on May 14. Fernando De La Cruz rides from post 11. Michael and Katherine Ball's Club Car, trained by Ben Colebrook, won an optional allowance claiming race at Keeneland on April 11 and then finished third in Pimlico's listed 6-furlong Skipat Stakes on May 15. Club Car will be ridden by Chris Emigh from post 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/AP062621USA8-EQB.html

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Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Filly & Mare Turf Berth On The Line In Peru

Stud El Castillo's Esperanza Blanca and Stud Ehden's Sissy Chanel, the first two finishers in the Clasico Republica Argentina (G3), lead 14 starters in Saturday's 1 ¼-mile Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) at Hipodromo Monterrico in Peru. The Gran Premio Pamplona winner will receive an automatic berth into this year's US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Gran Premio Pamplona winner to start in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/8 miles at Del Mar. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

Esperanza Blanca, bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, is a 4-year-old chestnut daughter of Grey Swallow (IRE). In the May 29 Republica Argentina, Esperanza Blanca, trained by David Prieto, came from fourth place inside the final furlong and wore down her rivals in deep stretch to finish a length ahead of Sissy Chanel. That was her fourth career victory and her first triumph in four starts this year. In her three previous stakes races in 2021, she finished third and then had two runner-up placings. Victor Salazar will ride Esperanza Blanca, breaking from post seven.

Sissy Chanel, bred in Kentucky by Azienda Agricola Valle Falcone, was Peru's champion turf mare of 2020. Sissy Chanel also has an impressive Breeders' Cup pedigree: A 4-year-old chestnut daughter of 2011 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Tapizar out of Passing By (GB) by 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Raven's Pass. Trained by Juan Suarez, Sissy Chanel won four consecutive turf races last year at Monterrico, culminating with a 1 ¼-length triumph in the 9-furlong Clasico Mary July in October. She began this year with a second-place finish to Grenas (PER) in the Clasico Ala Moana on Jan. 29, but returned on March 27 and posted a 2 ½-length victory over Esperanza Blanca in the 1 ¼-mile Clasico Ernesto Ayulo Pardo. A winner of six races in nine turf starts, Sissy Chanel will be ridden by Martin Chuan from post three.

The 7-year-old Grenas, a homebred of Haras Los Azahares, has won 10 races. A gray daughter of Meal Penalty out of Belle Breeze by Powerscourt (GB), Grenas comes into the race off a victory by a head in the 1-mile Clasico Sambi at Monterrico on May 12. Trained by Andreas Arredondo, the Sambi win came after four consecutive defeats following her triumph in the Ala Moana. Ronald Ramos has the mount on Grenas, breaking from post one.

Stud Arriba Arequipa's gray/roan 3-year-old Reina de Mollendo (ARG) has won three of her five starts for trainer Luis Olivares, but will be stepping back into stakes company following two easy allowance sprint victories over the course. A gray/roan filly by Mastercraftsman (IRE), Reina de Mollendo finished second by 1 ¼ lengths to stablemate Salmation (PER) in a 1 1/8-mile allowance on May 28, which was her most recent start. Miguel Vilcarima will ride Reina de Mollendo from post 10.

Stud El Herraje's 3-year-old Salmation, Peru's 2020 champion turf 3-year-old filly, captured 1 ¼-mile Clasico Oscar Berckemeyer Pazos (G3) last October. After three defeats this year, Salmation, also trained by Olivares, returned to the winner's circle with back-to-back allowance scores at 1 1/8 miles on May 1 and May 28 at Monterrico. Salmation will be ridden by Carlos Herrera from post five.

Another intriguing starter, making her turf debut after six races on dirt, is Stud Augusta's 3-year-old Quinta Nota. Bred in Kentucky by Charles Fipke, this dark bay or brown daughter of Tale of Ekati won the 1 ¼-mile Clasico Enrique Ayulo Pardo, a Group 1, by 4 ¾ lengths last October in her second start. Trained by Alfonso Arias Rodriguez and ridden from post 14 by Roy Melgarejo, Quinta Nota lost her next three races before capturing the 1 1/8-mile Clasico Portadora by 3 ½ lengths on May 21.

The Gran Premio Pamplona is the third “Win and You're In” race in this year's Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf division. Queen Supreme (SAF) was the first to gain a free berth into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf when she won the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) at Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa on Jan. 9. Gran Alegria (JPN) was the next horse to receive an invitation when she captured the Victoria Mile (G1) on May 16 at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan.

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Win And You’re In: Starman, Dream Of Dreams Headline Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee At Royal Ascot

David Ward's Starman (GB), a winner of four of five races, and Saeed Suhail's Dream Of Dreams (IRE), runner-up in this race the last two years, headline Saturday's 6-furlong US$975,000 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. The winner of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes will earn an automatic berth into this year's US$1million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Diamond Jubilee winner to start in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which will be run at 5 furlongs at Del Mar. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of October 25 to receive the rewards.

The Diamond Jubilee is the fourth of four Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races to be conducted during the Royal Ascot meeting. The race will be televised live on NBC, TVG, ITV and Sky Sports.

In his 2021 debut, Starman, trained by Ed Walker, won York's 6-furlong Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (G2) on May 12. The bay son of Dutch Art (GB) took the lead in the final furlong and held off Nahaarr (IRE) by a neck for his fourth win, all at the 6-furlong distance.

“He is a massively exciting horse,” said Walker of the 4-year-old Starman. “He is a big imposing horse with that presence, a real head-turner in the string. He's obviously very good as well. Everything has gone well since York.”

After winning his first three races last year, Starman finished 13th in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1) at Ascot over a soft course. Oisin Murphy has the mount on Starman.

The 7-year-old chestnut gelding Dream Of Dreams, trained by Michael Stoute, has finished second by a head in the last two runnings of the Diamond Jubilee, losing the 2019 race to Blue Point (IRE), and in 2020 to Hello Youmzain (FR). But following last year's defeat, Dream Of Dreams returned on Aug. 15 at Newbury and romped home a 7-length winner in the Unibet Hungerford Stakes (G2). That win set him up for his biggest score yet, when he captured the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Stakes at Haydock by 1 ¼ over Glen Shiel (GB) in September.

In preparation for this year's race, Dream Of Dreams won the listed Weatherbys ePassport Stakes at Windsor on May 17. He will be ridden Saturday by Ryan Moore.

Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum's 5-year-old Nahaar has won six races for trainer William Haggis, including three last year. A bay son of Dark Angel (IRE), Nahaar just missed taking his first Group stakes race in his gallant runner-up effort in the Duke of York.

Another son of Dark Angel is Power Racing's 4-year-old Art Power (IRE), who won last year's Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot by 3 ¼ lengths, defeating 20 rivals. Trained by Tim Easterby, Art Power followed that win by taking the Lacken Stakes (G3) at Naas. Stepping into Group 1 competition in his next two starts, Art Power finished fourth in the Haydock Sprint and fourth in British Champions Sprint Stakes. He had a disappointing 2021 debut in the Duke of York Stakes when he started awkwardly and finished fifth. Silvestre De Sousa has the mount on Art Power.

Hambleton Racing's Glen Sheil is seeking his ninth win. Trained Archie Watson, the 7-year-old chestnut gelding by Pivotal (GB) finished first or second in eight of nine starts last year. In addition to his British Champions Stakes win, Glen Sheil captured the Phoenix Sprint Stakes (G3) at the Curragh. He made his 2021 debut in the Wetherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes (G2), finishing fourth at the 9-5 favorite. Hollie Doyle will ride Glen Sheil.

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