Breeders' Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Top-Class Fillies Love, Audarya Take On Defending Lord North In Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s

Multiple Group 1 winners Lord North (IRE), Love (IRE) and Audarya (FR) lead Wednesday's 1 ¼-mile US$991,000 Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. The winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes will earn an automatic berth into this year's US$4 million 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 Prince of Wales's Stakes winner to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 ½ miles over the Del Mar turf course. 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 Prince of Wales's Stakes, is the second 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 NBCSN and TVG.

The HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing's 5-year-old gelding Lord North (IRE), trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, is the defending Prince of Wales's champion, having defeated Addeybb (IRE) last year by 3 ¾ lengths. A winner of six of 12 starts, Lord North made a successful seasonal debut at Meydan on March 27 when he won the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) by 3 lengths. Last year, Lord North, a bay son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Giant's Causeway mare Najoum, closed out 2020 with a fourth-place finish in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, beaten 2 ¾ lengths.

“He's a great character, he's in good form,” said John Gosden. “He's back on quicker ground. I think it's a fascinating race. Love has been waiting for this type of ground. She was exceptional last year but she raced with her own sex.”

Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier's Galileo (IRE) filly Love (IRE) swept a trio of Group 1 races in an unbeaten 3-year-old campaign, taking the 1,000 Guineas, the Epsom Oaks and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Love was scheduled to run in last October's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), but was not did start due to soft ground. Love will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

O'Brien plans to start another offspring of Galileo in the 4-year-old colt Armory (IRE), for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Seeking his first Group 1 victory, Armory has won five races, including his 2021 debut when he captured the 1 3/8-mile Melodi Media Huxley Stakes (G2) at Chester by 3 lengths on May 7. During the second half of last year, Armory won the Royal Whip Stakes (G3) at The Curragh in August, finished third behind stablemate Magical (IRE) and Ghaiyyath (IRE) in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), and ran second in Australia's 1 ¼-mile Cox Plate (G1) at Moonee Valley in October. Seamie Heffernan has the mount on Armory.

Also making her 2021 debut is Mrs. A. M. Swinburn's Audarya (FR), a 5-year-old daughter of Wootten Bassett (GB), who completed and an outstanding season last year by winning the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Keeneland by a neck over Rushing Fall. Trained by James Fanshawe, the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf was Audarya's second Group 1 triumph of 2020, having also captured the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August. Audarya will be ridden by William Buick.

Juddmonte's 5-year-old Sangarius (GB), trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Colin Keane, won last year's 1 ¼-mile Hampton Court Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. A bay son of Kingman (GB) out of the Empire Maker mare Trojan Queen, Sangarius finished second to Armory in the Huxley Stakes and finished second in the 1 1/4-mile Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) at Sandown on May 27 as the even-money favorite.

Sunderland Holding's 4-year-old My Oberon (IRE) finished third in the Prix d'Ispahan, beaten just a quarter of a length in his most recent start. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, My Oberon, a bay of Dubawi, won the 1 1/8-mile bet360 Earl of Sefton Stakes (G3) at Newmaket on April 21.

Abdulla Al Mansoori's 9-year-old gelding Desert Encounter (IRE), winner of the 2019 Pattison Canadian International (G1), finished second in the 1 ¼-mile Gordon Richards Stakes (G3) at Sandown on April 23 for trainer David Simcock. Desert Encounter will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni.

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Top-Rated Palace Pier Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth With Queen Anne Victory

The world's top-rated racehorse Palace Pier followed up his St James's Palace Stakes win from 2020 with victory in the opening contest of this year's Royal Ascot, the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile. The win earned Palace Pier an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile this fall at Del Mar in California.

Sent off a red-hot 2/7 favorite under Royal Ascot's most prolific current jockey Frankie Dettori, the 4-year-old was pushed out for a comfortable length and a half success over Lope Y Fernandez (12/1), with Sir Busker (22/1) another length back in third.

Last year's G1 victory over the round mile was played out in front of empty grandstands, but today 12,000 spectators were able to enjoy a classy performance from Palace Pier. This victory was a 74th at the meeting for the rider, and a first for John Gosden in a training partnership with his son Thady.

A relieved John Gosden said: “It was a slowly run race over a straight mile and he's a very relaxed horse — you saw how he cantered down, he hack cantered down.

“I think we were very aware that there was no pace in the race. Frankie said, 'I'm drawn where I am so I'll stay on the wing' because we suspected a slow pace, which is what we got – a slow pace and a slow time – but then, don't sit out the back when they kick, with two and a half, three to run. He has done it really smoothly; he has come through, won his race, and is exactly like his father [Kingman], as soon as he gets there, he has done enough. And if I worked him at home with a very ordinary horse, he'd just stay with them – that's his game.

“If you are odds-on like that, it would be a bit odd if you weren't nervous, because your only thing round the corner is a banana skin, so it can happen. He had a normal blow afterwards – he has done more in his work at home than he did today. I've been second in this race three times – it took [son] Thady to get me over the line!

“It's wonderful – those people who have come and had a test, it's fantastic and there's a gorgeous atmosphere because it's not crowded, it's very comfortable, and it's a gorgeous day. To that extent, full marks to people who made the effort.

“Palace Pier's options are the Sussex Stakes, the Jacques le Marois in Deauville, which he won last year. And obviously you can step him up a trip if you wanted to, for the Juddmonte International, something like that. He is a grand horse, great attitude, good looking, nice scope.”

Dettori said: “Wow, wow. What can I say? He has shown again that he is the best miler around.

“You can rely on Palace Pier. It is like getting one of the proper guys to take the first penalty and they will put it in the back of the net.

“He is one of the best horses in the world and everything went right. 31 years ago I rode my first Royal Ascot winner on Markofdistinction in the Queen Anne. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.

“I am still getting the same kick and I am pretty relieved that everything went smooth. It makes a big difference [to have an early Royal Ascot winner]. I have a lot of big rides this week and it takes the pressure off.

“Palace Pier is the best miler around the world. He goes on any ground, he is very kind, does what you ask him to do. He comes from behind, can be up there and he is a great partner to have in these races. It's not just me, he should take the credit.

“You cannot imagine to see the colors, the people screaming. It is a mirage – I'm so pleased to have the crowd back. It's great. What can you say? Royal Ascot with people is amazing and this meeting is a big part of my life. I couldn't ask for anything more.”

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Grade 1 Winners Ce Ce, Kimari Top Nominees To ‘Win And You’re In’ Princess Rooney

Bo Hirsch LLC's Ce Ce, a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner, and Tom Broeck Farm, Inc.'s Kimari, who earned Grade 1 credentials in her most recent start, are prominent on the first invitation list for the $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) July 3 at Gulfstream Park.

The seven-furlong Princess Rooney, a 'Win and In' race for this year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, will co-headline the Summit of Speed program with the $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) at Gulfstream.

Ce Ce, who captured the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita and the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn last year, is trained by Michael McCarthy, who ventured from his Santa Anita base with City of Light to win the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream in 2019. The 5-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality has raced twice this year, debuting with a 3 ¼-length victory in a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance April 17 before coming up short in a fourth-place finish in the two-turn Santa Maria (G2) a month later.

Wesley Ward-trained Kimari, second in the Commonwealth (G1) at Royal Ascot last year, became a Grade 1 stakes winner last time out in the seven-furlong Madison April 3 at Keeneland.

Lothenbach Stables Inc.'s Bell's the One, who finished three-quarters of a length behind Kimari while finishing second in the Madison, is a third Grade 1 winner on the list of 14 Rooney invitees, having won the Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs last September. The Neil Pessin trainee most recently finished fourth in the Derby City Distaff.

The first of three Princess Rooney Invitational lists also includes a trio of graded-stakes winners who are Grade 1 stakes-placed: Medallion Racing and partners' Estilo Talentoso, Lloyd Madison Farm LLC's Sconsin and Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC's Victim of Love.

Juan Arriagada-trained Estilo Talentoso won two of six starts at Gulfstream, including a maiden score and an overnight-stakes victory, before hitting the road to finish in a dead-heat with Belle's the One for second in the Madison, check in third in the Derby City Distaff, and win the Bed o' Roses (G3) at Belmont.

Gregory Foley-trained Sconsin, who won the Eight Belles (G2) last year, is coming off a victory in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill. The daughter of Include finished second behind Gamine in the Derby City Distaff in her prior start.

Todd Beattie-trained Victim of Love, who captured the May 8 Vagrancy (G3) at Belmont, concluded her 2020 racing second with a third-place finish in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga.

Holly Hill Stables LLC's Pacific Gale, who captured the Inside Information (G2) and the Hurricane Bertie (G3) during Gulfstream's Championship Meet, is among several Grade 2 stakes winners invited to the Princess Rooney. Other Grade 2 winners include Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc's Frank's Rockette, Godolphin LLC's Lake Avenue, Gary Barber's Laura's Light, and Kueber Racing and partners' Vault.

LBD Stable LLC and David Ingordo's Our Super Freak, who finished third behind Vault last time out in the Ruffian (G2) at Belmont; Daniel J Lopez and George Chestnut's Chub Wagon, who remained undefeated while winning the Shine Again at Pimlico Sunday; and Windylea Farms IV LLC's Thissmytime, who finished second behind Pacific Gale in the Inside Information; round out the Princess Rooney invitation list.

The Princess Rooney invitation list is scheduled to be updated on June 20 and June 27.

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Win And You’re In: Palace Pier, Order Of Australia Headline Tuesday’s Queen Anne At Royal Ascot

Palace Pier (GB), one of the world's top milers, and Order of Australia (IRE), the reigning FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) winner, headline Tuesday's US$563,000 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) in the opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting at Ascot Racecourse. The winner of the Queen Anne will secure an automatic berth into this year's US$2million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Queen Anne winner to start in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, which will be run over the Del Mar turf course. 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 Queen Anne, run over a straight mile, is the first of four Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” races to be conducted during the Royal Ascot meeting. The race will be televised live on NBCSN and TVG.

First run in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes is named for the monarch who established racing at Ascot in 1711.

Palace Pier, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum and trained by father and son John and Thady Gosden, has won seven times in eight starts, including last year's St. James's Palace (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville. A 4-year-old son of Kingman (GB), Palace Pier has won both his starts in 2021, taking the 1-mile bet360 at Sandown on April 23 by 8 lengths, and the 1-mile Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newberry on May 15 by 1 ½ lengths. His only defeat came in last October's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot, when he finished third over soft ground.

“He is a lovely horse who has done everything right in his life,” said John Gosden. “He only missed the autumn of his 2-year-old career. He prepped in a Newcastle race last year and came out and won the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1). He did everything right last year until the end when he ran on very soft autumn ground (in the Queen Elizabeth II). He hated that, lost a shoe and got left.”

“He's come back well this year. He did handle that ground (good to soft) in the Lockinge and I've got to be clear that maybe a horse like Lope Y Fernandez did not. Back now on summer ground I think you will see a lot more horses come into play that maybe weren't happy on the ground.”

Frankie Dettori, who leads all jockeys with six Queen Anne wins, has the mount aboard Palace Pier.

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magner, Michael Tabor and Mrs. A.M. O'Brien's Order of Australia came off the also-eligible list and won last November's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at 73-1 at Keeneland. Order of Australia was the first of three Aidan O'Brien-trained runners across the wire, with Circus Maximus (IRE) a neck behind in second and Lope Y Fernandez (IRE) finishing third. A 4-year-old son of Australia (GB), Order of Australia will be making his first start since finishing sixth in last December's Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) at Sha Tin.

Lope Y Fernandez, a 4-year-old son of Lope De Vega (IRE), started the year well by winning the listed 1-mile Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown on April 14. He went off as the 5-1 second choice in the Lockinge but was caught behind horses with a furlong remaining and wound up eighth.

The 8-year-old Lord Glitters (FR), who won the 2019 Queen Anne Stakes at 14-1, is also coming out of the Lockinge, where the roan/gray son of Whipper finished fourth. Trained by David O'Meara and ridden by Daniel Tudhope, Lord Glitters has won nine races, including two 1 1/8-mile scores at Meydan this year in the Jebel Hatta on March 6 and in the Singspiel Stakes on Jan 21. He also finished sixth in the Dubai Turf (G1) at Meydan on March 27.

“He ran fine in the Lockinge,” said O'Meara. “There were a few younger horses ahead of him and Palace Pier looked unbeatable, but Lord Glitters likes the straight track at Ascot so hopefully he runs his race again. He is better at Ascot than at Newbury.”

Saeed Manana's 5-year-old Top Rank (IRE) finished third in the Lockinge. Trained by James Tate, Top Rank, a gray son of Dark Angel, has won six of nine starts, and has a victory this year in the listed Unibet Doncaster Mile on March 27. Last September, he won the Betfair Superior Mile Stakes (G3) at Haydock. Top Rank will be ridden by P.J. McDonald.

Also entered is the Mrs. R.F. Johnson Houghton's 7-year-old gelding Accidental Agent (GB), who won the 2018 Queen Anne Stakes. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton and ridden by Charles Bishop, Accidental Agent finished fourth in last year's race.

In addition to the Queen Anne, there will be three other Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races at the Royal meeting: The Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), held on Wednesday, June 16, will award the winner a free berth into US$4 million Longines Breeders Cup Turf (G1); the Norfolk Stakes (G2), which will be run on Thursday, June 17, offers a “Win and You're In” starting position into US$1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2); and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) on Saturday, June 19, which gives the winner an automatic berth into the US$1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

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