Norfolk a Stakes Debut for American Pharoah Colt Maven
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Maven breaks his maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack
Maven, the first winner in the United States for Triple Crown victor American Pharoah , will make his stakes debut June 20 when he faces an expected 14 other juveniles in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.
The challenges are many for Maven in the storied five-furlong affair. Not only will the race mark his stakes debut, but he's also tackled the challenges of traveling to Europe for his second start and racing on turf for the first time. Still, with trainer Wesley Ward—a Royal Ascot maestro—in his corner, Maven is the 5-1 second choice in bookmaker wagering in Europe, with King Power Racing's two-time winner Sunday Sovereign favored at 5-2.
Ward will attempt his second straight Norfolk victory and third overall. He won the race last year with the filly Shang Shang Shang and secured his first win in the race in 2013 with No Nay Never.
After posting a half-length victory in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race April 19 on the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack, Richard Ravin's Maven prepared for his Royal Ascot start with four half-mile works on Keeneland's turf from May 12 to June 2.
Ward, also the breeder of Maven, believes the switch to turf will benefit the chestnut colt, who is out of Ward and Ravin's three-time stakes winner Richies Party Girl, by Any Given Saturday.
"This guy will be better on the grass," Ward said after the debut maiden win. "The mare was a multiple stakes winner on the grass, and I'll shoot for the Norfolk with him, and hopefully I can go over there and do some good things as well with him."
Preakness Stakes (G1)-winning rider Tyler Gaffalione is scheduled to ride Maven Thursday. The Norfolk is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" race to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T).
Maven was offered at the June 17 Goffs London Sale but failed to reach his reserve at the auction that offers many runners already entered at Royal Ascot. A victory by the colt Thursday would give American Pharoah his first stakes winner.