South Africa: One Stripe, Double Grand Slam earn BC bids
One Stripe proved superior over fellow 3-year-olds in winning the Grade 1 Hollywood Cape Guineas on Dec. 14, and he similarly bested older rivals Jan. 4 when closing to victory in the 164th running of the Grade 1 L'Ormarins King's Plate at Kenilworth.
The US$160,324 King's Plate, one of South Africa's premier races, was one of two Grade 1 races at the Cape Town racetrack on Saturday, along with the Paddock Stakes (G1). The latter race was won by Double Grand Slam, owned by Drakenstein Stud, Dave MacLean and retired golfing legend Gary Player.
With both races part of the Breeders' Cup challenge series, One Stripe secured an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile. Double Grand Slam gained a guaranteed starting position in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Now in its 19th season, the Breeders' Cup challenge series is an international series of stakes races, the winners of which receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race in the Breeders' Cup, scheduled to be held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
One Stripe notched his third consecutive victory despite a tardy start. He settled toward the rear of the pack in the one-mile contest and, knifing through the field under Gavin Lerena, picked off rivals down the course's long stretch. Finding an opening between horses late, he surged past second-place Montien and third-place Gimma A Prince in the final half furlong to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
He was timed in 1:37.63 on turf rated as good.
"He absolutely cruised up to the big horses. And what can I say? He sailed on by," Lerena said.
It was the first King's Plate victory for the colt's owner and jockey, and for trainer Vaughan Marshall. Marshall conditions One Stripe for owner Rikesh Sewgoolam.
"Well, up until now, we were a bridesmaid. We ran second twice, but thankfully, One World has sorted that out," Marshall said.
The colt's sire, One World, was one of those runner-up finishers for Marshall, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Vardy in the 2020 King's Plate.
A spokesperson read a text from Sewgoolam during a post-race interview, with the owner commenting, "An incredible win and privilege to have such a team as this and such an amazing horse."