Acapulco Set for Return to Royal Ascot

The Wesley Ward-trained Acapulco, easy winner of the Unbridled Sidney Stakes May 14 at Churchill Downs, came out of the race fine and is set for a trip to Royal Ascot.

The 3-year-old Scat Daddy   filly owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith was a group II winner at 2 last year at Royal Ascot. She could resurface in the June 14 King's Stand Stakes or June 17 Commonwealth Stakes, both of which are group I events.

"She did beautiful and she kind of took the worst of it being on the inside, but the most important thing is that we came out with a win, so confidence-wise we can really push forward on to Royal Ascot," Ward said. "She galloped out strong and came out in good order. She came back tired, which is a good thing. It was her first race since February, but she came out great and gave it 100%."

Acapulco made her 2016 debut in a Turfway Park allowance race on Polytrack. She won from just off the pace, but in the five-furlong turf sprint at Churchill, she dueled early and then pulled away from older competition.

Acapulco is one of six horses Ward plans to send to Great Britain.

"I would certainly lean toward the Commonwealth," Ward said. "It's straight 3-year-olds and would be the easiest of the two, you would think, but the decision lies with Coolmore and whatever decision they want to make. We're excited about her; she's a really great filly."

Robby Albarado rode Acapulco in the Unbridled Sidney and has the call for her Royal Ascot race.

"She felt really good," Albarado said. "It was her second race back off her long layoff and Wesley was pretty confident in her, as I was, because I had been on her quite a few times in the mornings."