Europe's Top 2YOs Set to Meet at the Curragh
Description:
Kool Kompany and Anthem Alexander head the nine-horse field for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) Aug. 10 at the Curragh in what looks to be the best juvenile contest of the season.
Winner of five of his six starts, Kool Kompany captured the the GAIN Railway Stakes (Ire-II) at the course and distance in June and most recently won the Prix Robert Papin (Fr-II) in France. He was supplemented for the Keeneland Phoenix.
Anthem Alexander is having her first start since landing the five-furlong Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-II) June 18 at Royal Ascot.
"She is in top form and I could not be happier with her," trainer Eddie Lynam said of Anthem Alexander. "She loves fast ground so fingers crossed the rain stays away. Should she win on Sunday it would be my first group I success in Ireland and that would mean a lot to me."
The Kevin Prendergast trainee Beach Belle enters the race with a perfect record in two starts following wins in a Curragh maiden and a listed race at Naas June 2.
"She is a smashing filly. She has plenty of speed and really saw out the six-furlong trip at Naas," Prendergast said.
Aidan O'Brien, who has won the race 12 times, is strongly represented with Dick Whittington, War Envoy, I Am Beautiful, and The Great War.
Cappella Sansevero and the Johnny Murtagh-trained maiden Kasbah complete the lineup.
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I, race 4, approximate post time 11:05 EDT), Aug. 10, 2YO, six furlongs, the Curragh
No. PP. Horse (Where Bred) (Sire), Jockey, Weight, Trainer
3. 2. Kasbah (IRE) (Acclamation), N. McCullagh, 129, J. Murtagh
8. 9. Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit), J. Spencer, 126, K. Prendergast