Ward Hones Stable Roster for Royal Ascot Bid

Despite restrictions that are now part and parcel of the new world order defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, trainer Wesley Ward is building his roster for the Royal Ascot meet. 

"I'm fortunate enough to have help already situated over there," said Ward, who has already shipped two horses to England with intentions to send others should he deem it a prudent decision. 

"I have an ample supply of help. My help that I had was with me here (in the U.S.) this winter," said Ward. "I had a guy from France that went home in early March and another guy from England who was with me down in Florida. I had another guy who was with me all winter here at Keeneland, Sam, and he's over there (in England) now because he went home in early March as well. They've just been awaiting the arrival of these horses." 

Racing in Great Britain was shut down by the British Horseracing Authority March 18 but is set to resume June 1 at Newcastle. Ascot announced in April that it plans to keep the royal meeting in its original spot on the racing calendar—June 16-20—but would run without spectators. 

According to the British government, any person arriving in the U.K. from another country must undergo a two-week self-quarantine period. With this in mind, Ward—who has saddled 10 winners at Royal Ascot since 2009—will remain in the United States for the meet and rely on his international infrastructure of employees to keep his horses on an even keel. 

"I think I'll sit the year out here," said Ward. "I want to make sure I don't cause any issues as an American going there. The horses are doing fantastic and when they get over there they're almost on cruise control. With technology now, with Skype, FaceTime, and everything else you can be there even when you're essentially not there. 

"I'm also closely aligned with some of the riders that are there, namely Frankie Dettori. I've had great success over there with them so we will see as we get closer if some of the restrictions will be lifted for American riders to go." 

The first two Royal Ascot hopefuls from Ward's barn touched down in Newmarket May 30. The pair took a flight from Miami to Amsterdam and were then vanned to England. One of the first to arrive was CJ Thoroughbreds' Flying Aletha, who impressed on debut May 21 with a gate-to-wire maiden win at Gulfstream Park. 

"(Flying Aletha) is scheduled to run in the Albany Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs June 19," said owner Corey Johnsen. "It's an extraordinary year for everyone. To Wesley's credit, he's on top of this and has done it before. Some of his key people are already over there. Wesley and I have been friends a long time and I have tremendous respect for his horsemanship.

"Obviously she's a very talented horse and we all feel she's better on the turf than the dirt. She's an interesting filly in that—and many Thoroughbreds are like this—but they want to please. She is very intelligent and she cares about what the trainers and the handlers want her to do and she does it. She's the kind of horse that can ship overseas and run in a 20-horse field and not have that experience be a problem."

On the ground with Flying Aletha is Ranlo Investments' Golden Pal, who finished second in his April 17 debut at Gulfstream after overcoming a bumpy start. 

"He ran a fantastic race here but he's much better on the grass than on the dirt," said Ward. "But he was second in his first race here at Gulfstream Park and he's had some eye-opening breezes on the grass here at Palm Meadows so we're very excited for him." 

Another possible 2-year-old looking to impress across the pond is Stonestreet Stables' Campanelle, who turned in a frontrunning score on the turf May 31 in a Gulfstream Park maiden test. Three Chimneys Farm's Royal Approval, who finished second in the same race, could join her stablemate at Ascot. 

"Both horses early on were meant for Royal Ascot, then all this (coronavirus pandemic) came about," said Ward. "For the most part, we'd have had a turf race or two at Belmont early on. To run 1-2 was a big go. The other filly who was second is also very talented. She's a bigger filly. We'll sit down with the owners of both fillies to see what they want to do moving forward.

"My whole year has been thrown off with the (2-year-olds) because I had them all ready to go then I had to back off. It may be a blessing in disguise though you never know, they may come out a little later on." 

From the more mature contingent, Ward could send out his own Bound for Nowhere, who most recently finished second in the March 21 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. Should he ship, the trip would be the fourth to Ascot for the son of The Factor , who finished off the board last year in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1). 

Ten Broeck Farm's Kimari, who won the April 4 Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn Park, could make her second trip to Royal Ascot for Ward. The Munnings  filly put in a strong effort last year, taking second in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2). 

"Bound For Nowhere … possibly he could go. Kimari is also a possible," said Ward. "They're looking like probables more than possible." 

Byron King contributed to this report