Monarch of Egypt Stars in Rescheduled Ballysax Stakes

In one of the more unusual twists to the unprecedented 2020 flat program, the Woodford Reserve Ballysax Stakes (G3) will serve as a trial for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) this year, rather than as an often informative teaser for the Epsom and Curragh classics.

In a move away from its Leopardstown home, the 1 1/4-mile event, which this year is the second Irish leg of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series, is the highlight of an eight-race card at Dundalk—where a new surface will be raced on competitively for the first time.

Ireland's sole all-weather venue, which hadn't replaced its surface since opening in 2007, previously came in for criticism over a supposed lack of bounce in the ground, with trainers reporting some of their horses to have been returning from the track jarred up prior to the blending of 50 tons of Clopf fiber last year.

However, the new surface was warmly welcomed by those who trialed it last month, according to the track's chief executive Jim Martin.

"We're delighted with the surface," he said. "The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board organized trials to try the surface on June 16 and the feedback was positive."

He added of the track's second Kentucky Derby qualifier of the year: "We work closely with Mike Ziegler, Churchill Downs' director of racing, and he called me a couple of months ago asking whether it would be possible for us to stage another European qualifier.

"We worked with Horse Racing Ireland and Leopardstown and thankfully made it happen. It's great to be a part of a big event like that and to have our facility recognized like that."

The star turn of the feature is undoubtedly recent Jersey Stakes (G3) second Monarch of Egypt, who is a somewhat surprising runner considering he was largely campaigned over five and six furlongs as a juvenile and has never raced beyond a mile.

However, his U.S. Triple Crown-winning sire American Pharoah  was obviously effective over this sort of trip and Monarch of Egypt's half brother won over one mile and four furlongs.

"Monarch of Egypt is by American Pharoah out of a Galileo mare so we hope he'll stay this longer trip," trainer Aidan O'Brien said. "We've been happy with him since his run at Ascot when we were delighted with him. The Kentucky Derby would be a possibility for him if he did show that he stays the trip, but we'll see how he gets on here."

The six-strong field contains smart sorts such as Joseph O'Brien's former course winner Choice of Mine, who bids to bounce back from a disappointing display in the Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Gallinule Stakes (G3), while Nobel Prize, Ballydoyle's other representative, is an interesting player down in trip after finishing fifth in the Queen's Vase (G2).

"Maybe we ran Nobel Prize over too far last time in the Queen's Vase so we're dropping him back to a mile and a quarter now," O'Brien said. "He should stay a mile and a half and we hope he has come forward from his last start."

Denis Hogan's Dalvey ran creditably when fourth in the Amethyst Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown and looks progressive.

Indicative Vote created a big impression when winning at Roscommon and Siamese has previous course form but needs to improve on ratings.