Pletcher Considering Royal Ascot for American Patriot

Todd Pletcher told officials at Ascot Racecourse that he is seriously considering the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot for American Patriot. The straight-mile contest on turf June 20 is the first race of the five-day event.

 

The 4-year-old War Front   colt landed the biggest victory of his career last time out with a neck success in the Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) on turf at Keeneland April 14. 

NOVAK: American Patriot Steals Maker's 46 Mile

 

WinStar Farm homebred American Patriot was also a smart performer in 2016, when he scored in the Kent Stakes (G3T) over nine furlongs at Delaware Park in July and finished a close third in the 10-furlong Secretariat Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse in August. 

LEWYN: American Patriot Makes the Grade in Kent

 

"We have put American Patriot in the Queen Anne Stakes and are seriously considering bringing him over for the race," Pletcher said April 27. "The horse is in great form and came out of his win at Keeneland really, really well. We have been very pleased with the winter and spring he has had and it seems he is in career-best form at the moment.

 

"I feel American Patriot has made a step forward this year. He was a bit unlucky last year in the Secretariat Stakes and has come on well over the winter. He has matured into a big, strong, beautiful horse. He has a nice turn of foot and a great disposition to go along with it, so we feel he is a good candidate to take a look at travelling over to England."

 

Pletcher saddled his first Royal Ascot runners in 2011, when Bridgetown finished 12th in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) and More Than Real came home 11th in the Coronation Stakes (G1).

 

"Royal Ascot is unbelievable," Pletcher said. "We hope to do a little better than we did with our runners before, but it was still a great experience. 

 

"I have been a few times to Royal Ascot when I haven't had runners. It is a fantastic event and we look forward to coming back, hopefully with some success this time."

 

The 33 entries for the Queen Anne Stakes also include leading European-based runners Minding, who capped a superb 2016 by taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (G1) at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day in October, as well as last year's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes (both G1) hero Galileo Gold.

 

A U.S.-trained challenge could include Miss Temple City, who may line up at her third Royal Ascot, following a fourth in both the Coronation Stakes in 2015 and last year's Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2).

 

Last year's Queen Anne Stakes was won by a US-trained horse for the first time, when the mare Tepin was successful.