U.S. Invader Love Reigns Looks to Dominate Queen Mary

The Queen Mary Stakes (G2) has a typical feel to it as punters must weigh up the value of the British and Irish form compared to that of a once-raced favorite trained by Wesley Ward.

Love Reigns  is perhaps the most exciting filly Ward has brought here in the last decade after a sensational, eased-down victory by 9 3/4 lengths at Keeneland, and Racing Post Ratings back that up.

"What she did at Keeneland was unbelievable—and she has come out of her debut better than any 2-year-old I've ever brought here," Ward said.

Her 100 debut figure exceeds that of Ward's previous three winners in that time frame, and indeed that of the American trainer's three beaten favorites.

"Any time you have a filly who wins by nearly 10 lengths, you're going to be confident next time," Ward said. "At this stage you couldn't say she's comparable to Lady Aurelia , but she's on that path, for sure. In fact, if she only replicates her maiden performance she'll be tough to beat—and, realistically, she should have moved forward from that, as well."

The question surrounding many of Ward's speedy juveniles is whether they can truly see out Ascot's stiff finish. Their gate speed is indisputable, and purely on pedigree, Love Reigns should have no issues maintaining a relentless gallop.

She scored over 5 1/2 furlongs and is a daughter of Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1) winner U S Navy Flag , whose dam has produced two seven-furlong winners and a grade 1 winner over a mile and four furlongs.

Ward has won the Queen Mary four times as part of his eight juvenile victories at Royal Ascot. The fact that he tends to leave something to work on with this meeting in mind means the rest could simply be playing for places. Stall 5 proved a winning draw in 2012, and Love Reigns can set her own fractions.

The only other filly with a treble-figure RPR is the Karl Burke-trained Dramatised, whose 101 at Newmarket was deeply impressive and just edges Love Reigns' debut effort.

"I really do think Dramatised has the potential to be a special filly and very good indeed," Burke said. "She has huge potential. I haven't trained one as quick, but as well as the speed she stays very well."

The Queen Mary often develops into two races, and the fancied pair are drawn on different parts of the track, with Dramatised on the stands' side in stall 17.

Burke added: "You obviously have to respect any horse Wesley Ward brings to Ascot, but I'll take my hat off to him if he can beat Dramatised—in fact, I might even give him my hat!"

Love Reigns will be tough to beat, but perhaps worthy of a speculative each-way wager is Olivia Maralda. One of five Amo Racing-owned fillies, Olivia Maralda bumped into perhaps the standout Irish juvenile filly in Statuette  over 5 1/2 furlongs at Navan and showed plenty of speed when dropping to second there.

"She's a talented filly and she was the fastest of the whole Craven Breeze-Up sale," trainer Michael O'Callaghan said of Olivia Maralda. "Dropping back to five will suit her, and she seems to be in very good form.

Statuette is favorite for the Albany Stakes June 17, and Olivia Maralda is well positioned to track Love Reigns from the same stall (1) that Ward's Campanelle  scored from in 2020.