Royal Ascot!
36 stakes, 8 Group 1’s, over 5 days. One of the most prestigious race meetings in the world.
But in 2020, no spectators.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the world and that includes horse racing, which has been delayed in many places and races are held without spectators.
Royal Ascot is no different. This year there are additional races added for trainers who need to race their horses and some schedules of races are changed.
Although worldwide travel restrictions have limited the number of overseas participants at Royal Ascot 2020, American trainer Wesley Ward has not been put off and has shipped seven horses to Britain to contest the meeting he describes as ‘The Breeders’ Cup in June.’
Ten-time Royal Ascot winner Ward, who will not travel himself to the fixture, will be predictably strong in the Norfolk Stakes (G2), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, on Friday June 19.
Ward has won the US$62,000 Norfolk Stakes twice, with No Nay Never in 2013 and Shang Shang Shang in 2018. He is set to run Ranlo Investments LLC’s 2-year-old Golden Pal, who finished second on the dirt on his only previous start at Gulfstream in April. Ward has described Golden Pal as his best chance of the week.
British opposition will include The Lir Jet, trained by Michael Bell, who broke the all-aged 5-furlong track record at Yarmouth on his June 3 debut. The colt, from the first crop of 2016 Norfolk Stakes winner Prince Of Lir, was subsequently bought privately by Qatar Racing.
Bell said: “The track record was a surprise, but it wasn’t a surprise that he won because he had been showing up well at home. The conditions were very favorable that day, quickish ground and the wind was helping.
“To break an all-aged track record on debut, carrying 9st 2lb (128 pounds), is not easily done. It was an eye-catching performance which caught the attention of Sheikh Fahad [al Thani of Qatar Racing] and hopefully he will be rewarded.”
Stories to look out for through the week include champion trainer John Gosden looking to reach 50 winners at the Royal Meeting. He is just one short of that total and will have plenty of live chances. Frankie Dettori needs six winners to go level with Pat Eddery on 73 Royal Ascot winners while Ryan Moore is just two short of 60. Younger jockeys looking to make a name for themselves in search of a first Royal Ascot victory include Cieren Fallon and Hollie Doyle, who have both made flying starts to the season.
I have made some notes on the Group 1 races for each day: watch and wager on www.hpibet.com.
Royal Ascot 2020 Order of Running
Tuesday
The Group 1 Queen Anne, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race and 1 mile race for older horses, is led by CIRCUS MAXIMUS (Galileo) who was 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last fall and won the Group 1 St James’ Palace Stakes last summer. Ryan Moore rides.
The Group 1 King’s Stand, a five-furlong straightaway dash for 3-year-olds and up, has the runner-up from last year, BATTAASH (Dar Angel) who has won 10 of 20 races. Jim Crowley rides for Charlie Hills.
Canadian-bred SERGEI PROKOFIEV is in the field, listed at 40 to 1.
Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f, 3yo+)
Queen Anne Stakes (1m, Group One, 4yo+)
Ribblesdale Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 3yo fillies)
King Edward VII Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 3yo colts & geldings)
King’s Stand Stakes (5f, Group One, 3yo+)
Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m, Group Two, 4yo+ fillies and mares)
Ascot Stakes Handicap (2 1/2m, 4yo+)
Wednesday
The Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Challenge race) is at 1 1/4 miles for older horses and early odds on JAPAN show even-money. This Aidan O’Brien trainee won the Juddmonet International and French Derby last year and was 4th in the Arc. He is by Galileo and has won 5 of 9 races. Incidentally, his full brother MOGUL is the favourite in Tuesday’s King Edward VII Stakes for 3-year-olds.
Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1m, 3yo+)
Hampton Court Stakes (10f, Group Three, 3yo)
King George V Handicap (1 1/2m, 3yo)
Prince of Wales’s Stakes (10f, Group One, 4yo+)
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1m, 3yo+)
Windsor Castle Stakes (5f, Listed, 2yo)
Copper Horse Handicap (1 3/4m, 4yo+)
Thursday
This day’s feature is the Gold Cup (G1) at 2 1/2 miles and 6-year-old STRADIVARIUS won this race last year in a huge season that saw him win 5 straight Group races. He is by Sea the Stars.
Golden Gates Handicap (10f, 3yo)
Wolferton Stakes (10f, Listed, 4yo+)
Jersey Stakes (7f, Group Three, 3yo)
Chesham Stakes (7f, Listed, 2yo)
Gold Cup (2 1/2m, Group One, 4yo+)
Britannia Handicap (1m, 3yo colts & geldings)
Sandringham Handicap (1m, 3yo, fillies)
Friday
The Group 1 Commonwealth Cup is a 6-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and American filly KIMARI, by Munnings, is there for trainer Wesley Ward and the Ten Broeck Stable (which won the Star Shoot Stakes with Owlette at Woodbine Saturday). Kimari won her 2020 season debut at Oakland. Her main rival is PIERRE LAPIN who is 2-for-2 with trainer Roger Varian.
The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes is a Group 2 for 2-year-olds and it is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.
Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap (5f, 3yo)
Albany Stakes (6f, Group Three, 2yo fillies)
Norfolk Stakes (5f, Group Two, 2yo)
Hardwicke Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 4yo+)
Commonwealth Cup (6f, Group One, 3yo colts & fillies)
Queen’s Vase (1 3/4m, Group Two, 3yo)
Duke of Edinburgh Handicap (1 1/2m, 3yo+)
Saturday
The final day of Royal Ascot has 3 Group 1’s.
The Coronation Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile, the Diamond Jubilee (with bargain purchase Sceptical, see story below) and the St. James’s Palace Stakes.
The latter comes just 2 weeks after the 2000 Guineas and winner Kameko is not entered but PINATUBO, who was upset by Kameko in the Guineas and Wichita are coming back for this race Saturday.
Silver Wokingham Handicap (6f, 3yo+)
Queen Mary Stakes (5f, Group Two, 2yo fillies)
Coronation Stakes (1m, Group One, 3yo fillies)
Coventry Stakes (6f, Group Two, 2yo)
St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, Group One, 3yo colts)
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f, Group One, 4yo+)
Wokingham Handicap (6f, 3yo+)
Queen Alexandra Stakes (2 3/4m, Conditions, 4yo+)
MORE STUFF:
Bought for 2,800 pounds, Sceptical heads Diamond Jubilee
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