While everyone has to ship to Kentucky Downs, Miss Amulet had the longest journey. The distinctive roan filly came from Ireland through Paris to Chicago to run in the G2 Franklin-Simpson on Saturday's program that features five graded stakes.
Miss Amulet returns to Kentucky, where she was third in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November, to face a field of males in the 6 ½-furlong test for 3-year-olds. Last year, the Irish-bred daughter of Sir Prancelot trained by Ken Condon brought a growing reputation with her to the U.S. This time, she is looking to bounce back from a pair of disappointing performances in Europe. Julien Leparoux, who was up for the Breeders' Cup, has the mount from post 5 in the full field of 12.
Mark Bourke, a member of Condon's staff, brought Miss Amulet back to the commonwealth this week.
“She's a rags-to-riches filly,” Bourke said. “She did very well as a 2-year-old. She won the Lowther (the G2 six-furlong Sky Bet Lowther at York) was second and third in two other Group 1 races, including the third here in the Breeders' Cup in November.”
The big performances in the graded stakes made her a valuable racing and breeding prospect and she was purchased by Coolmore partner Michael Tabor in late summer 2020. She runs in the name of Tabor's wife. Doreen and has stayed with Condon, who has had her throughout her career.
This year, Miss Amulet has not been as effective. She was 13th of 14 in the G1 one-mile Irish 1,000 Guineas over heavy ground on May 23. A planned run in the G1 Commonwealth Cup on June 18 at Royal Ascot was scuttled by heavy rain. In her most recent start, she was well back in the G1 July Cup on July 10 at Newmarket.
In an interview with The Racing Post, Condon said: “She hasn't been at her best in her couple of runs this season, but it'll be interesting to see how she gets on because she's in great form and has been doing well of late. She's only run twice and there were certainly mitigating circumstances on her first start of 2021 in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.”
Condon also said: “I'd imagine she's going to be covered by an Ashford stallion in the spring, but if she showed up well over there you'd think she could end up running again over there. There are opportunities for a filly like her in the States.”
Miss Amulet was purchased as a weanling at auction for $1,134 and purchased as a yearling by Colm Griffin for $9,259. The Tabor group acquired her in a private sale after the Lowther victory. She was beaten a half-length in the G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park at Newmarket before going on to the Breeders' Cup.
Bourke has twice had Miss Amulet out on the Kentucky Downs track, which resembles European courses and is unlike any other in North America. She is scheduled for another visit Friday morning.
“It rides lovely,” he said. “It's a rare opportunity that you can do this here in America, a turf-only course. They've done a great job here. They've been very welcoming and helpful. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of luck.”
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