U.S. Runners Take Aim at Royal Ascot
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There are 13 U.S.-based horses aiming for races at next week's Royal Ascot meeting, headed by Horse of the Year California Chrome, The National reports.
Ten of the runners are trained by Wesley Ward, who has enjoyed previous success at the prestigious meeting, which this year runs June 16 through June 20.
California Chrome, who has been training in Newmarket with Rae Guest since a runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 28, is targeting the June 17 Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I), in which he is seeking his first win of the year. He also will bid to become the first Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) victor to win at Royal Ascot after previous failed bids by Reigh Count, Omaha, and Animal Kingdom .
Among Ward's runners are Hootenanny, who captured last year's Windsor Castle Stakes before winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT), and grade III-winning sprinter Undrafted, as well as highly-regarded juveniles Finnegan and Acapulco.
Other U.S. trainers with horses at the meet include Graham Motion, who will send out Miss Temple City in the Coronation Stakes (Eng-II) June 19, and George Weaver, who will be represented the same day by Cyclogenisis in the inaugural Commonwealth Cup (Eng-I), a race that also will include Hootenanny.