Brooch Has Designs On Curragh Score

Brooch (Empire Maker)’s unbeaten streak through wins in September’s G3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies S. and the May 23 G2 Lanwades Stud S. was derailed, albeit finishing a close-up seventh, in the June 28 G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh. The lightly-raced homebred bounced back to a degree when runner-up to subsequent G1 Nassau S. second Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the July 19 G2 Kilboy Estate S. in her third straight outing at the Co. Kildare venue last time. Victory in Sunday’s G3 Dance Design Fillies S. would provide both trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen with outright winningest records in the fledgeling contest.

Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), fifth in the May 23 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, bounced back from a lowly ninth–on livelier than ideal ground–in Royal Ascot’s June 18 G3 Tercentenary S. and finished just a short head behind Brooch in the Kilboy Estate S. last time. “Bocca Baciata seems in good form and the ground should be fine for her, so we’ll see how we go,” said trainer Jessica Harrington, adding, “She goes there with every chance.”

Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) was ahead of Bocca Baciata when hitting the board in the Irish 1000, but off the radar when 15th of 16 in Royal Ascot’s June 17 G3 Jersey S. and returns to the fold off a runner-up finish in the Aug. 19 Listed Ruby S. last time. “She ran a good race [at Killarney] the last day, she’s been running well all year and deserves to get her head in front,” insisted trainer Willie McCreery. “The only disappointing run she’s had all year was on the fast ground at Royal Ascot. I think this softer ground suits her well and the trip should suit as well. James [Doyle] knows her well, so it’s great to have him on board again.”

Aidan O’Brien is represented by GI Belmont Oaks Invitational third Outstanding, who was last of 11 in the Aug. 20 G1 Yorkshire Oaks on European return last time, and Easter, who finished two spots ahead of Outstanding on the Knavesmire.