The Queen's Dartmouth Aims to Repeat in Hardwicke

The last day of Royal Ascot? Already?

Yes, the June 24 card is the final act of this year's edition of one of the year's classiest, high-level meetings. But it won't go without a bang Saturday, as there's a group 1 sprint on tap and a good supporting cast of races.

The six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) is the second top-level sprint of the meeting, bookending the opening day's King's Stand Stakes (G1). Like the King's Stand, this is a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and a fixture in the British Champions Series.

 

Limato is the lukewarm ante-post favorite in the Diamond Jubilee. The 5-year-old Tagula gelding, trained by Henry Candy, won the Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) in October, then finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. He finished 10th in the Al Quoz Sprint Presented by Azizi Developments (G1) at Meydan Racecourse on Dubai World Cup night. Two years ago at this time, he came in second in the Commonwealth Cup (G1).

Limato's inconsistency lends some credibility to the bid of The Tin Man. The 5-year-old Equiano gelding won last fall's British Champions Sprint (G1) over the course and distance, but was mid-pack at the end of his season debut, the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (G2) at York.

The Hardwicke Stakes (G2) going 1 1/2 miles gives Her Majesty the Queen another chance at the royal meeting. The monarch, who is attending her 65th consecutive Royal Ascot, came into the meeting with 23 wins.

This time she will be rooting for ante-post favorite Dartmouth to repeat last year's victory in the race. Dartmouth, a 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Galatee, is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and has won half his 14 starts. He finished second, beaten just one length, in the Pattison Canadian International (G1T) at Woodbine in the fall, and won his first race this season at York.

Lady Bamford's Wings of Desire, a Pivotal colt who finished fourth in last year's Investec Derby (G1), will return from a 10-month absence and will be a big threat if he returns to the form.

The day's opener, the Chesham Stakes, will have 2-year-olds going seven furlongs. September (IRE), owned by Coolmore-associated partners, is the heavy early favorite. September, a filly by the great Japanese sire Deep Impact, won her only previous race at Leopardstown by 5 1/2 lengths.

The day and meet will end with the large field of the Queen Alexandra Stakes, at a mile and 5 1/2 furlongs. And then it's "cheerie-bye" until the carriages roll down the mile course again in June of 2018.