Hard Wood
Third in both the G1 English and Irish 2000 Guineas, Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) sets a clear standard as he steps back more into his comfort zone on Wednesday, reverting to seven furlongs for the G3 Jersey S. Beaten three lengths by Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when forced to race from the front away from the main action in the May 2 Newmarket Classic, the bay was just over a length behind that rival when again positively placed in the Curragh version three weeks later. Despite having to carry a five-pound penalty for his juvenile wins in the G2 July S. at Newmarket and G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood, he has all the credentials to emulate Mozart (Ire), Gale Force Ten (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Mustajeeb (GB) (Nayef) in winning this on the back of a placing in the Irish Guineas. “Ivawood deserves another win, [and] at The Curragh Hughesie felt that he might have nicked it had the Ballydoyle pacemaker not hassled him in front at the three-pole,” trainer Richard Hannon commented. “There is no doubt that Ivawood does stay the mile, but he also has explosive pace so dropping back to seven furlongs seemed a more sensible route rather than going into a third tough battle with Gleneagles.” Hannon continued, “Obviously, we have the penalty to carry from last year, but he has been moving great at home. Although stall four might not look ideal, there is plenty of pace all around us over there, so hopefully Ivawood will get back on track before heading to France for the [G1] Prix Maurice de Gheest.”
Just a half-length behind Ivawood when fourth in the 2000 Guineas was John Guest Racing’s Bossy Guest (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), who has five pounds in hand on his archrival and arrives here fresh. Godolphin supply a duo in Toscanini (Ire) (Shamardal) and Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), who are moving up and down in trip, respectively. The former, who was second in the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. at The Curragh in September, goes a furlong further than when a latest third in the G3 Lacken S. at Naas at the start of the month, while Devonshire is shortened up following her third in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 24. Of Toscanini, trainer Mick Halford said, “We had the choice of the [G1] Commonwealth Cup, but the Jersey looks the right race for him. He wasn’t suited by the ground conditions on his latest run at Naas, but before that run, he won well at Navan. He loves fast ground and we think he’ll run a nice race.” Devonshire is improving with each effort and trainer Willie McCreery is hopeful she can hold her own. “It will be tough taking on the colts and Ivawood is the standout, but she’ll be getting eight pounds from him,” he commented. “She’s been in good form since the Guineas and is a lovely filly. Nothing seems to faze her.”
Wesley Ward supplies another runner in Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Luck of the Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), who was runner-up to last year’s Royal Ascot phenomenon Hootenanny (Quality Road) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in October and who was a latest fourth in the 9 1/2-furlong GII American Turf S. at Churchill Downs May 2.