Golden Pal Heads Ascot-Bound Workers at Keeneland

With the Royal Ascot meeting a little more than two weeks away, trainer Wesley Ward sent three of his charges, headed by Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Golden Pal , for breezes over the turf course at Keeneland the morning of May 29.

The works, originally scheduled for Friday, were postponed due to a deluge in the Lexington area on Thursday and Friday. Despite the sunnier weather on Saturday, the turf course was still listed as yielding for Sunday's breezes.

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg's Golden Pal drilled five furlongs in 1:05.80. The brilliant turf sprinter, runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Ascot as a juvenile, is preparing for a start in the June 14 King's Stand Stakes (G1), where the Uncle Mo   colt will face the Australian speedball Nature Strip . Golden Pal romped home an easy winner in his 4-year-old debut last month at Keeneland in the Shakertown Stakes (G2T).

Two-time Royal Ascot winner Campanelle  as well as impressive juvenile debut scorer Love Reigns  each worked five furlongs over the grass for Stonestreet Stables. Campanelle was timed in 1:05 while Love Reigns stopped the clock in 1:03.60.

A 4-year-old daughter of Kodiac , Campanelle won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Ascot as a 2-year-old before returning last year to defeat some of the best sprinters in Europe in the Commonwealth Cup (G1). Campanelle, who began her 2022 season with an authoritative win in the April 16 Giant's Causeway Stakes at Keeneland, will start in the June 18 Platinum Jubilee Stakes (G1).

Love Reigns will seek to emulate Campanelle's success with her own bid in the Queen Mary. The U.S. Navy Flag filly was purchased by agent Ben McElroy for $187,123 at the 2021 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. She dominated a maiden special weight by 9 3/4 lengths at Keeneland April 29.

Ward's runners are scheduled to depart for Ascot on June 8, when they will leave on a direct flight from Indianapolis to London Stansted Airport. Each is expected to have one final breeze at Keeneland before their overseas venture.

Joining the Ward trio on the turf was Susan Moulton's homebred Andthewinneris . The 2-year-old Oscarperformance colt worked five furlongs in 1:03.80 for trainer Wayne Catalano. An April 28 debut winner at Keeneland, Andthewinneris is pointing toward the listed Chesham Stakes.