Frankel Looms Large in St James's Palace
Juddmonte Farms’ Frankel was among 13 early entries for the Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes, co-feature on opening day of Royal Ascot, which runs from Tuesday, June 14 through Saturday, June 18.
The ease with which Frankel crushed the opposition in his most recent start, the Gr1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (UK) in late April, will ensure he is sent off an overwhelming Royal Ascot favorite. British bookmakers are quoting odds as short as 1-4 for the homebred son of Galileo to take his winning streak to seven on Tuesday.
Reports of Frankel's outrageous performances during morning workouts are nothing new but he looked in typically powerful shape when pulling a couple of lengths clear of workmates on Wednesday. Trainer Henry Cecil sent his unbeaten colt to the Watered Gallop on Newmarket Racecourse Side to exercise with his usual lead horse, Bullet Train.
Named in honor of the late Bobby Frankel, Juddmonte’s trainer in the USA, Frankel (the horse) will again be challenged by Dubawi Gold in the St James's Palace (Ascot Race 3; post time 10:45 am EDT).
Dubawi Gold got closest to Frankel at Newmarket, some six lengths adrift, before trainer Richard Hannon shipped to The Curragh seeking compensation in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Under a hold-up ride from Richard Hughes, he was unable to reel in Roderic O'Connor.
Tim Jones, racing manager for Dubawi Gold's owner Andrew Tinkler, said: "The St James's Palace has always been in our minds as the next step, and the only other option for three-year-olds over a mile for a long time is the Prix Jean Prat [in France] in early July.
"So weighing up the pros and cons, we couldn't see any reason to sidestep the St James's Palace.
"He came out of the Irish Guineas in good order and seems tremendously well. Mentally he has really grown up."
Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who won the Irish Classic with Roderic O'Connor, relies on Alexander Pope and Zoffany.
Richard Fahey is keen to give star two-year-old Wootton Bassett another chance after he could only finish fifth in the French 2000 Guineas.
Marco Botti has entered his German 2000 Guineas winner Excelebration, who was second to Frankel in the Gr3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury in mid-April.
Grand Prix Boss represents Japan while Temps Au Temps is the sole French entry.
The William Haggas-trained Fury, Godolphin's Neebras, Barry Hills’ Rerouted, David Simcock's Dream Ahead and Tazahum from Sir Michael Stoute's stable complete the list of acceptors for the St James Palace. Final entries will be drawn Sunday, June 12.