Record-setting Royal Ascot winner to target Breeders' Cup

Alpha Centauri, who captured Royal Ascot's Group 1 Coronation Stakes last week in record time, will likely head to the United States later this year for the 2018 Breeders' Cup Mile, AtTheRaces.com reports.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said the Mile, set for Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, "would definitely enter calculations. I know that’s their (owners) love and it would be lovely if everything goes all right if she stays in training next year.”

Alpha Centauri gave the popular Irish trainer Harrington her first Royal Ascot victory, and it came by six lengths and more than a second faster than the previous record final time.

Harrington said the only thing limiting Alpha Centauri, a 3-year-old by Mastercraftsman, would be soft turf, over which she won't run.

While the filly was beaten as the favorite at last year's Royal Ascot meeting, her victory stood as perhaps the top performance at this year's races, which ran from Tuesday through Saturday.

The Breeders' Cup Mile was last won by a filly or mare in 2015 by Tepin.