Juddmonte
Farms’ Frankel was among 13 early entries for the Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes,
co-feature on opening day of Royal Ascot, which runs from Tuesday, June 14
through Saturday, June 18.
The
ease with which Frankel crushed the opposition in his most recent start, the
Gr1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (UK) in late April, will ensure he is sent off an
overwhelming Royal Ascot favorite. British bookmakers are quoting odds as short
as 1-4 for the homebred son of Galileo to take his winning streak to seven on
Tuesday.
Reports
of Frankel's outrageous performances during morning workouts are nothing new
but he looked in typically powerful shape when pulling a couple of lengths
clear of workmates on Wednesday. Trainer Henry Cecil sent his unbeaten colt to
the Watered Gallop on Newmarket Racecourse Side to exercise with his usual lead
horse, Bullet Train.
Named
in honor of the late Bobby Frankel, Juddmonte’s trainer in the USA, Frankel
(the horse) will again be challenged by Dubawi Gold in the St James's Palace
(Ascot Race 3; post time 10:45 am EDT).
Dubawi
Gold got closest to Frankel at Newmarket, some six lengths adrift, before
trainer Richard Hannon shipped to The Curragh seeking compensation in the Irish
2000 Guineas. Under a hold-up ride from Richard Hughes, he was unable to reel
in Roderic O'Connor.
Tim
Jones, racing manager for Dubawi Gold's owner Andrew Tinkler, said: "The
St James's Palace has always been in our minds as the next step, and the only
other option for three-year-olds over a mile for a long time is the Prix Jean
Prat [in France] in early July.
"So
weighing up the pros and cons, we couldn't see any reason to sidestep the St
James's Palace.
"He
came out of the Irish Guineas in good order and seems tremendously well.
Mentally he has really grown up."
Ireland’s
champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who won the Irish Classic with Roderic
O'Connor, relies on Alexander Pope and Zoffany.
Richard
Fahey is keen to give star two-year-old Wootton Bassett another chance after he
could only finish fifth in the French 2000 Guineas.
Marco
Botti has entered his German 2000 Guineas winner Excelebration, who was second
to Frankel in the Gr3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury in mid-April.
Grand
Prix Boss represents Japan while Temps Au Temps is the sole French entry.
The
William Haggas-trained Fury, Godolphin's Neebras, Barry Hills’ Rerouted, David
Simcock's Dream Ahead and Tazahum from Sir Michael Stoute's stable complete the
list of acceptors for the St James Palace. Final entries will be drawn Sunday,
June 12.