Albany Stakes has Breeders’ Cup implications

Friday’s US$157,000 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot features a full field of 17 precocious 2-year-old fillies. While it’s not officially a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event, recent history says U.S. fans should pay close attention.

From 2019 to 2023, four fillies who ran in the Albany made their presence felt in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Meditate pulled off the rare double in 2022, while Daahyeh (2019) and Porta Fortuna (2023) each ran second, and Mother Earth (2020) hit the board in both races.

Scheduled as Race 1 on the card, post time is set for 9:30 a.m. EDT. The Albany Stakes gate is positioned partway down the straight one-mile course.

Note: Program numbers and starting gate positions differ, a common feature at British meetings. The turf is currently listed as good to firm.

Ashley and I are hanging onto our hats as we sift through this wide-open Albany lineup, hoping to spot not just the winner—but a future Breeders’ Cup headliner.

Laurie

5. Fitzella (5-1)

Post 13

By 2-year-old Champion Too Darn Hot out of the stakes-winning sprinter, Shamadar, Fitzella’s half-brother Admiral Nelson is a listed placed sprinter.

Fitzella may be part of the hot early pace. Graduating in her second start, a six-furlong maiden event over good/firm going, Fitzella wired the field and was never seriously challenged. She found another gear through the stretch, opening up by 3 1/2 lengths under a hand ride, beating Albany rival Tahalel. The Hugo Palmer trainee was timed in 1:13.06 but got her final furlong in a sharp 12.14.

Betfred ‘Supporting Macmillan’ EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes replay: 

https://www.racingtv.com/watch/replays/2025-05-23/haydock-park/1425

7. Green Sense (6-1)

Post 12

Also by Starman, Green Sense is a half to a German Group 3 winning sprinter and a multiple-listed placed sprinter.

After graduating at first asking by three lengths, Green Sense returned in the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes at NASS in Ireland. She settled on the rail close to the pace, then grabbed the lead about halfway through the race. She took an awkward step approaching the 1 furlong pole, dueled with Lady Iman down the stretch, and grudgingly gave way, bested 3/4 a length. However, Green Sense finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Albany rival, Signora. The Joseph O’Brien trainee earned a 97 Timeform rating, a 12-point jump from her debut. Green Sense may tailgate the early pace. Contender.

9. Ipanema Queen (15-1)

Post 17

By Group 1 winning sprinter Sand of Mali, Ipanema Queen has little blacktype in the first two generations of her family, although her second dam is a multiple listed-placed sprinter, and her dam’s half-sister bore a multiple listed-placed sprinter. However, there’s plenty of class in the third generation, including Dubai Golden Shaheen sensation Muarrab.

Ipanema Queen dazzled in her career bow at the Curragh in Ireland. She grabbed the lead shortly out of the gate and opened up by a widening 5 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go racing uphill. The Adrian Murray trainee completed six furlongs in 1:12.60 with a 12.31 final furlong over good going. Ipanema Queen received an 89 Timeform rating. Exotics.

Irish European Breeders Fund Auction Series Maiden replay

https://www.racingtv.com/watch/replays/2025-05-23/curragh/1710

14. Signora (5-1)

Post 11

Frankel’s daughter is out of the Queen Mary (Gr.2) heroine Heartache. Both of Signora’s half-siblings are blacktype winners. Her half-sister, Exactly, is a Group 3 winner and is multiple Group 1-placed, while half-brother Salt Lake City is a listed winning miler.

In her six-furlong career debut at NASS in Ireland, Signora settled at the back of the pack early. She got stuck in traffic, but a seam opened up and she followed Lady Iman, but Signora couldn’t match that one’s kick. Signora gained ground with every stride yet settled for third place behind Green Sense, bested 2 1/2 lengths by Lady Iman. The Aiden O’Brien trainee earned a 91 Timeform rating. Exotics.

17 Venetian Sun (7-2)

Post 1

Yet another daughter of the popular sire Starman, Venetian Sun is out of the multiple stakes-placed Johara. Venetian Sun’s half-brother is a listed placed sprinter. A trio of Group 1 winners anchors the third generation: Madaen, Wavering, plus European Champion 2-year-old Shadow of Light who is entered the G1 Commonwealth Cup in Race 2 on Friday.   

In her five-furlong debut in a maiden event at Carlisle, which has a steep half-mile incline, Venetian Sun pressed the early pace on the far outside, gained ground going uphill and won under a hand ride, never being asked for her best. The K.R. Burke trainee won by 1 1/2 lengths and completed five furlongs over firm ground in a strong 59.98, with a 12.67 final furlong. She earned an 82 Timeform rating. Contender.

British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes replay

https://www.racingtv.com/watch/replays/2025-05-19/carlisle/1430

Ashley

1. Awaken (12-1)

Post 3

Trained by George Boughey, Awaken was a solid second to Gold Digger on debut. She finished just a half-length back from that one while being 4 1/2 lengths clear of third place. A step forward is all she would need to contend for a minor award. Exotics.

2. Balantina (12-1)

Post 4

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, Balantina was fourth on debut but improved to win at second asking at Curragh. She did all the early legwork in her second start after racing midpack in her debut. Another progression like she showed in her second start could see her win this. Live long shot.

3. Bibi Dahl (30-1)

Post 6

Trained by Jorge Delgado, Bibi Dahl debuted in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park. She finished 3 3/4 lengths behind winner Lennilu but was clearly the best of the rest, finishing 5 1/4 lengths ahead of a wall of fillies vying for third. Lennilu also made the trip across the pond and finished a very solid third in the Queen Mary Stakes (Gr.2), beaten by just 1 3/4 lengths for it all. Live bomb long shot.

6. Gold Digger (6-1)

Post 14

Trained by Richard Spencer, Gold Digger debuted a winner at Yarmouth, defeating fellow first timer Awaken by a half-length. I like Awaken, so liking Gold Digger also is a foregone conclusion. Like that one, she’ll need more here, but again, that’s not outside the realm of possibilities. Exotics.

7. Green Sense (6-1)

Post 8

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Green Sense debuted a winner at Curragh and followed that up with a smart second in the Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes (Gr.3) at Naas. Winner Lady Iman is undefeated in three career starts at three different tracks. Contender.

9. Ipanema Queen (15-1)

Post 17

Trained by Adrian Murray, Ipanema Queen won on debut, defeating 20 rivals by 5 1/2 lengths. I don’t care who you are; that’s quite impressive. She’ll certainly be prepared for the size of the field she’ll face here, and she’s proven at the distance and over the expected going. Contender.

14. Signora (5-1)

Post 11

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Signora debuted in the Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes (Gr.3), finishing third behind undefeated Lady Iman and fellow Albany entrant Green Sense. It was a strong showing for an obviously highly regarded filly. She had every opportunity to move forward off that impressive debut. Contender.

Analysis

Laurie

Previous Start: The last 12 winners won their last start, and 10 won at six-furlongs.

Favorites: While only three of the last dozen favorites won, including last year, five finished second or third.

Post Position: The outside is the place to be. Or is it? Over the last four years, horses exiting posts two through eight were successful. However, in the eight years preceding, posts 13 and up were the place to be.

Country Trend: Five of the last seven winners were Irish-breds. Those born in the USA placed twice in 13 attempts.

The well-bred Signora, a one-run closer, will appreciate a quick early pace. Aidan O’Brien won two of the last three additions of the Albany Stakes.

Green Sense is Group 3-placed. She got a little tired in her second start but should regroup and has a fitness edge. She’ll settle just off the pace.

Venetian Sun, Ipanema Queen, and Fitzella all have early speed, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of them win or earn a lower reward. I’m going with Venetian Sun for third place. She ran uphill most of the way and completed five furlongs in just under a minute without being pushed. While Fitzella’s debut was eye-catching, it was slower than Ipanema Queen.

Ashley

Green Sense appears to be the most likely leader in this field, according to At the Races. However, Balantina led the way in her most recent outing. The Racing and Sports website gives us an entirely different pace scenario, with Green Sense, Spinning Lizzie, Bibi Dahl, and Venetian Sun pegged as potential pacesetters.

It’s interesting to note that the morning line favorite is a maiden. However, Signora gave a strong showing when debuting in a group three event. Her pedigree and connections are also top-notch, making her a logical top betting choice.

U.S. representative Bibi Dahl gets a nod from me. As I already mentioned, the filly she lost to last out has performed well at Ascot this meet already, and Bibi Dahl could very well follow suit.

There’s a lot to like about many in this field, but my eye is particularly on that group three event as Naas. I’ll be taking both fillies exiting that race and throwing in some long shots to balance things out.

Selections