Golden Pal Primed for Woodford Stakes

He’s back home, looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup World Championship just outside his barn and coach Wesley Ward is quietly confident about getting Keeneland meet on October 8 at Woodford Stakes presented by FanDuel (G2T)

Ward’s Golden Pal is the star of the nine-horse field for $350,000, 5 1/2-brick long. 4 years old Uncle Mo colt, racing for Coolmore’s Westerberg Limited, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, were six-time rating winners. Among those wins are the Breeders Cup ‘2020 (G2T) Juniors Sprint on the same Keeneland and the 2021 Breeders Trophy Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar.

Golden Pal is undefeated in three of Keeneland’s games, including last year’s Woodford, and Ward, asked if he’s confident, put it all in one word, answering: “Yes.”

Prompted, he added, “This is my home street. It’s his home street. It’s where he trains all his life. So I just look forward to getting the Breeders’ Cup here at the Breeders’ Cup here at the Breeders’ Cup.” Keeneland, that’s for sure. He won the Breeders’ Cup in 2nd place here, so he likes the surface and he races lightly, and he’s coming into this race a phenomenon. statue. “

Ward is facing the possibility that Golden Pal will come to the ranch after the Breeders’ Cup and has only one regret.

“There is a goal, unfortunately, if he is retired, potentially, not to win at Royal Ascot. He is second at (2 years old) and this year the rider (Irad Ortiz Jr.) .) was looking back at the horse. Still unloaded, scratched, he didn’t know. They opened the gate and he almost fell. The race was over in milliseconds.”

It’s Kings Stand Stakes (G1) in 2022, considered a contest between two of the world’s top sprinters — Golden Pal and the Australian superstar. Nature strip who won 4 1/2 lengths as Golden Pal faded to go home last as a narrow favorite.

Artemus Citylimits a 5 year old child Temple City gelding, set a remarkable record of finishing in the first three games of 20 of 21 starts while slowly climbing out of the notable ranks. Coach Mike Maker gave him his first bet on September 10 in the FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky Downs, and he delivered, leading all the way to the last step before being Bran . That heat took place in a record time of 1:07.41.

Steve Asmussen brings County Finals back to Keeneland for the first time since he finished third at Woodford in 2021. He’s only had one win in 10 starts since, racing from Texas to Virginia. His most recent start on September 6 was his third in the Woodford Reserve Da Hoss Stakes at Colony Downs.

Also in the Keeneland Woodford field is Ocean one Structure gelding who posted upset win in Da Hoss.

Gear Jockey 5-year-old son trained by Rusty Arnold Spinning candy has four wins from 20 starting with the only stake win coming in the 2021 FanDuel Turf Sprint (G3T) at the Kentucky Downs. He finished sixth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

All in sync , Brian beat bad , Charcoal, and recent European imports Cadamosto complete the squad.