Newmarket kicks off the “Win and You’re In” weekend action Friday, with the $133,000 Shadwell Rockfel (G2), which will award an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, while Saturday’s $166,250 Juddmonte Royal Lodge (G2) will offer a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
In addition to serving as Breeders’ Cup qualifiers, both 1-mile races take on added significance as they are run over the same Rowley Mile course and distance as next May’s 1000 and 2000 Guineas (G1), the first two British Classics of the year.
The Rockfel drew a field of five, with Coolmore’s MONDAY, a 2-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock (AUS) who broke her maiden in her second career start at Leopardstown Sept. 12, trading as a slight 13-8 ante-post favorite for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Paul and Clare Rooney’s ISABELLA GILES (IRE) is right behind at 7-4 for trainer Clive Cox, and the daughter of Belardo (IRE) has an experience edge, as she’s 3-for-4 lifetime, including a win in the Prestige (G3) Aug. 29 at Goodwood. ALBA ROSE (GB), NAZUNA (IRE), and SANTOSHA (IRE) are also enteredfor the “Win and You’re In” Shadwell Rockfel.
China Horse Club International’s COBH (IRE) leads the five-horse field for the Royal Lodge. Trained by Clive Cox, Cobh has won two of his three starts, including the listed 1-mile Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury on Aug. 21. Teme Valley 2’s GEAR UP(IRE)has won both of his starts at York for trainer Mark Johnston, and comes into the race off a half-length win in the 7-furlong Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (G3) on Aug. 19. Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s ONTARIO (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien, led the Aug. 22 Futurity Stakes (G2) at The Currragh until the final 50 yards, before finishing third, beaten 1 length.
Hipodromo to Offer Turf Bid
Sunday at Hipodromo da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, the $200,000 Grande Premio Brasil (G1) will award an automatic starting berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. Run at about 1 ½ miles, the Grande Premio drew a field of nine, with Stud Happy Again’s GEORGE WASHINGTON (BRZ) looking to repeat for trainer Luis Estevez.
The 5-year-old son of Redattore (BRZ) will take on a field that also includes ABU DHABI (BRZ), GALAXY RUNNER, HARD BOILED (BRZ), HE’S GOLD (BRZ), MONDRAGON (BRZ), OLYMPIC IMPACT (BRZ), OLYMPIC IPSWICH (BRZ), and PIMPER’S PARADISE (BRZ).
