Ascot: Frankie wins with Porta Fortuna; Breeders’ Cup is goal

Frankie Dettori reached 80 Royal Ascot wins Friday when he rode Porta Fortuna (5-1) to a one-length victory in the opening Group 3 Albany Stakes, a straight, six-furlong turf dash for 2-year-old fillies.

It was a first Royal Ascot success for trainer Donnacha O’Brien. The son of Aidan O’Brien confirmed afterward that the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf likely would be on the agenda. The filly’s owners Steven Weston, Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing and Reeves Racing are from the United States.

"We’ll take her home and see how she comes out of it,” Donnacha O’Brien said. “She is quite a scopey filly. She is owned by a bunch of American owners, so the Breeders' Cup will be a target. Whether she will stay that far or not we will see. We will see how she comes out of the race, then we will make a plan.”

Porta Fortuna, a daughter of Caravaggio who landed a Group 3 at Naas, Ireland, last time out, led entering the final furlong and always looked in control thereafter.

Matrika took second for last year’s winning trainer Aidan O’Brien, and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Soprano fared best of those drawn wide by finishing third.

Dettori added his 81st career victory at the royal meeting when Coppice finished first in the Sandringham Handicap mile for 3-year-old fillies.

“Eighty winners at Royal Ascot, unbelievable. I’ve fulfilled my dream,” said Dettori, who has been on a retirement tour in what he has said would be his final year of riding professionally. “Ascot has always been special to me. I love it so much, and to reach 80 winners is incredible.”

After poor start, Shaquille wins Commonwealth Cup

Shaquille (9-1) confirmed himself the star of Europe’s 3-year-old sprinting ranks after overcoming a terrible start to win the six-furlong Commonwealth Cup (G1) for Oisín Murphy and Julie Camacho. It was a remarkable performance from the fast-improving Shaquille, who appeared to have blown his chance by rearing as the gates opened, forfeiting several lengths. However, Murphy was at his best on the Charm Spirit colt, allowing his mount to creep into the race before unleashing a telling change of gear to edge past Little Big Bear (10-11) and score by a 1 1/4 lengths. Little Big Bear The filly Swingalong was another three-quarters of a length back in third.

Odds-on Tahiyra delivers in Coronation

Tahiyra provided legendary Ireland trainer Dermot Weld with a second Coronation Stakes (G1) success, 45 years after Sutton Place won the mile G1 prize in 1978. The 8-13 favorite was much the best in a steadily run race but had to survive a stewards’ inquiry after interfering with eventual runner-up Remarquee around a furlong from home. Having sat last of the six runners, Tahiyra led entering the final furlong and saw it out well to win by a length. Remarquee rallied to go down by a length, bouncing back from a disappointing run in the 1,000 Guineas (G1). Sounds Of Heaven was a head farther back in third. This was the first Royal Ascot victory for jockey Chris Hayes and the 18th for Weld, who had not won at the meet since Free Eagle captured the 2015 Prince Of Wales’s (G1).

Favored King of Steel is victorious in King Edward

King Of Steel proved his Epsom Derby (G1) second-place finish was no fluke by powering to glory in the King Edward VII (G2) under a cool ride from Kevin Stott. The imposing Roger Varian-trained colt, sent off the 11-10 favorite, loomed up in the straight and, despite edging right under pressure, readily stormed clear to score for an emphatic, 3 1/2-length victory. Continuous was slightly impeded by the winner, but it had no bearing on the result. Ryan Moore’s mount finished second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Artistic Star.

Coppice, Dettori defeat 28 rivals in Sandringham

Juddmonte filly Coppice (6-1) continued Dettori’s fine week with a dominant performance in the Sandringham Handicap. The daughter of Kingman is a full sister to 2018 Coventry (G2) winner Calyx, holds a Falmouth Stakes (G1) entry. As the joint favorite in the field of 29, she powered home toward the stand side to see off runner-up Breege (33-1) by a length. Balalaika defied odds of 66-1 to take third, and Unless (14-1) was another two lengths back in fourth. It was a fourth success of the week for Dettori, who is just one behind Moore in the race to be crowned leading rider. It also was a fourth win in this meet for trainers John and Thady Gosden.

Okita Soushi scores in Duke of Edinburgh

Okita Soushi (9-1) gave trainer Joseph O’Brien a second Royal Ascot winner with a swooping victory in the 1 1/2-mile Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap. The Coolmore-bred winner, who was third in last year’s Copper Horse Handicap, was given the perfect hold-up ride by Moore, who didn’t want anything to do with the strong early gallop. Okita Soushi was produced wide in the straight, and the son of Galileo powered home to score by a neck. The consistent HMS President (15-2) finished second for the sixth time in his last eight starts, and Live Your Dream (11-1) filled third for Godolphin.

Rhythm N Hooves is at home in Holyroodhouse

Rhythm N Hooves (20-1) collared Kerdos late on in the five-furlong Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap for 3-year-olds, completing a double at Royal Ascot for trainer Archie Watson and jockey Hollie Doyle. The lightly raced son of Pearl Secret had plenty to do when Kerdos (11-1) kicked clear a furlong from home but delivered a strong finishing burst to run down the leader and score by a neck with the pair clear of the rest. Conquistador (8-1) finished third, and Radio Goo Goo (10-1) finished a length farther back in fourth.