Ward ships 7 Royal Ascot contenders; meet them here

As has become his standard practice, trainer Wesley Ward is planning to start several horses in next week's Royal Ascot meet in England.

For the first time, however, the meet at Ascot Racecourse, about 30 miles west of London, will be held without spectators.

Ward is the first American trainer to win at Royal Ascot, scoring two victories in 2009. In all, he has 10 wins at the meet.

As a prodigious trainer of 2-year-olds -- he has 50 in his stables now -- Royal Ascot is appealing to Ward for several reasons.

For one thing, "it's the biggest international meet in the world," he said Wednesday.

Plus, he said, "for decades, the European horses have been coming to America and winning and beating our best turf horses. So why would an American guy go there, into the lion’s den, where all of them are? But ... I started going, took a chance with 2-year-olds. Because it’s so early in the year, I thought it would be an advantage to bring the 2-year-olds over there. I gave it a try, and I was successful."

And the timing is good, offering premier opportunities for juveniles. "It's like the Breeders' Cup ... but it's the Breeders' Cup in June."

Ward is able to choose among his many 2-year-olds to run those that are “the best at this time. Whatever kind of comes up that is early and quick and good, high quality at this time of the year. Now, certain horses peak later in the year.”

This year, Ward is running six 2-year-olds -- all of which have raced once -- and one 3-year-old in the Royal Ascot. Here's a look at each of them:

• Kimari: This 3-year-old daughter of Munnings is making a return trip to Royal Ascot, where she finished a close second in the Queen Mary last year. Since then, she's won four of six career starts, including the Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn on April 4 last out. Her other loss was a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November. At Royal Ascot, she'll face males in the Commonwealth Cup (G1, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs) on Friday, June 19. 

• Sheriff Bianco: This 2-year-old son of Speightstown finished second in a 4 1/2-furlong effort at Churchill Downs on May 22. He'll run in the Windsor Castle Stakes (2-year-olds, 5 furlongs) on Wednesday, June 17.

• Sunshine City: The 2-year-old daughter of Creative Cause broke her maiden at 4 1/2 furlongs on April 30 at Gulfstream. She'll join Sheriff Bianco in the Windsor Castle.

• Flying Aletha: This 2-year-old daughter of Tiznow broke her maiden on May 21 at Gulfstream at 5 furlongs. She'll run in the Albany Stakes (Group 3, 2-year-old fillies, 6 furlongs) on Friday, June 19.

• Golden Pal: A 2-year-old son of Uncle Mo, he came in second in a 4 1/2-furlong effort at Gulfstream on April 17. He'll run in the Norfolk Stakes (G2, 2-year-olds, 5 furlongs) on Friday, June 19.

• Campanelle: She and stablemate Royal Approval (see below) finished 1-2 against colts in a 5-furlong race at Gulfstream on May 31. She'll run in the Queen Mary (G2, 2-year-old fillies, 5 furlongs) on Saturday, June 20.

• Royal Approval: The daughter of Tiznow finished 3 1/2 lengths behind Campanelle in that May 31 race. She'll try again in the Queen Mary.