Celtic Dispute (f, 2, Leinster–Bert's Altarcation, by Bertrando), a debut second as the 4-5 chalk going 4 1/2 furlongs for trainer Patrick Biancone over the Gulfstream dirt Apr. 16, switched to grass and defeated the boys in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile S. at Gulfstream Park.
The 5-2 chance flashed sharp speed from her inside draw, but was cleared by fellow filly and favored Skara Brae (Golden Pal), a sharp debut winner for Wesley Ward at Keeneland this spring, and backed off to second.
Celtic Dispute set her sights on the leader at the five-sixteenths, drew alongside in the stretch, and, after exchanging bumps down the lane, just got up to win by a neck.
The winners of both the Royal Palm Juvenile and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (held later on the program) each earn an automatic entry into one of six juvenile stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 equine travel stipend.
The Biancone-trained Lennilu (Leinster), winner of last year's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies S., finished third in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot.
“You don't have to be a genius to know that Wesley (Ward) is going to the front. I said to (jockey) Luis (Saez), 'Don't worry. If he wants to go, let him go, and we'll catch him later,” Biancone said.
The winner's dam produced a full-brother to the winner in 2025.
ROYAL PALM JUVENILE S., $112,500, Gulfstream, 5-9, 2yo, 5fT, :56.17, fm.
1–CELTIC DISPUTE, 117, f, 2, by Leinster
1st Dam: Bert's Altarcation, by Bertrando
2nd Dam: Altar Cat, by Pulpit
3rd Dam: Chile Chatte, by Storm Cat
($90,000 Ylg '25 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Dew
Sweepers LLC; B-K.Sheehan, M.F.Nicholson, M.Gauchat & McN
Thoroughbreds, Dr.J.Speis (FL); T-Patrick L. Biancone; J-Luis
Saez. $61,500. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $79,300. *1/2 to
Vulcan (Munnings), MSP, $307,673.
2–Skara Brae, 120, f, 2, Golden Pal–Mince, by War Front.
($120,000 Wlg '24 KEENOV). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ten Broeck
Farm, Inc.; B-Titletown Racing Stables (Paul Farr) & BRS (KY);
T-Wesley A. Ward. $21,560.
3–Braums Run, 120, c, 2, Golden Pal–Ice Cream, by Bernardini.
($15,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-D. J. Stable,
LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $11,760.
Margins: NK, 4HF, HF. Odds: 2.80, 0.90, 6.50.
Also Ran: Omaha Forty, Automatic Press, Cillian, Jost a Chance Yadi, Iolana. Scratched: Blackjack.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Celtic Dispute and @luissaezpty (outside) in front in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes for trainer Patrick Biancone. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/O8ftwsQp9N
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) May 9, 2026
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