The “European Highway to the Kentucky Derby” troopers on to its penultimate leg March 15 on the Kempton Park Polytrack however it might require a big stretch of creativeness to see any of the seven entrants loading into the beginning gate at Churchill Downs on the primary Saturday in Might.
The seven-race sequence that began final autumn on turf in Eire, France, and England, ensures the highest points-getter an invite to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
That is the idea.
The fact is not one of the seven lining up at Kempton Park is an early nominee to the U.S. Triple Crown, none has contested any of the earlier legs within the sequence, and none but has displayed something hinting at Classics-level potential on any floor.
Nonetheless, the 2 top-rated 3-year-olds within the subject have had success whereas touring.
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Alzahir exits a first-up victory within the Al Rayyan Mile, an area group 2 affair on the turf, in Doha Feb. 18. The Sea The Stars gelding, skilled by John and Thady Gosden, picked up his first profession win final October on the Lingfield all-weather course.
Courageous Emperor , a Sioux Nation gelding, additionally received his final outing and it, too, concerned journey. The Archie Watson trainee dominated the stretch run within the Feb. 12 Prix de la Californie on the Cagne-Sur-Mer Polytrack within the south of France, successful by 1 3/4 lengths. He is 3-for-4 with a second on all-weather tracks.
One other of the Kempton Park prospects, Lieber Energy, a Cracksman colt, holds an entry for the Epsom Derby (G1), however his one win from two begins as a 2-year-old got here on the all-weather.
Twenty-four horses have earned factors within the first 5 races within the “European Highway” sequence. The primary 4 occasions had been contested on turf within the autumn and are extra possible proving grounds for the European Classics than something on dust in america.
Cairo received the Patton Stakes at Dundalk in Eire to kick off the all-weather portion of the competitors, incomes 20 factors to take the lead within the sequence. The Coolmore homebred High quality Highway colt is a U.S. Triple Crown nominee but in addition holds entries to the English Two Thousand Guineas (G1), the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), and the Irish Derby (G1).
Cairo’s coach, Aidan O’Brien, received the Patton in 2018 with Mendelssohn , who then went on to win the U.A.E. Derby (G2) however completed final within the Kentucky Derby.
Stormy Entry , a Charles Fipke homebred colt by Level of Entry , at present is No. 2 on the listing with 6 factors earned by ending third within the Patton. Fipke mentioned earlier than the Patton Stakes that, ought to the invitation devolve to him, he would settle for it for Stormy Entry.
The leaderboard will probably be shuffled after the ultimate race within the “European Highway,” the Cardinal Situation Stakes April 1 at Chelmsford Metropolis. That warmth bestows 30 factors upon the winner with 12, 9, 6, and three factors to the subsequent 4 finishers.
