WinStar Farm's American Patriot (War Front), who came running late to post a 10-1 upset in the GI Maker's 46 Mile S. at Keeneland Apr. 14, has been given an entry for the G1 Queen Anne S., the traditional opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting that is scheduled this year for Tuesday, June 20.
Trainer Todd Pletcher is reported to be “seriously considering” a start in the one-mile event, famously won by America's Tepin (Bernstein) in 2016.
“The horse is in great form and came out of his win at Keeneland really, really well,” Pletcher told Ascot officials. “We have been very pleased with the winter and spring he has had and it seems he is in career-best form at the moment.
“I feel American Patriot has made a step forward this year. He was a bit unlucky last year in the [GI] Secretariat S. and has come on well over the winter. He has matured into a big, strong beautiful horse. He has a nice turn of foot and a great disposition to go along with it, so we feel he is a good candidate to take a look at travelling over to England.”
Should American Patriot make the trip, he would be the third runner at the meeting for the perennial leading trainer, who sent Bridgetown (Speightstown) and More Than Real (More Than Ready) to unplaced efforts in the G1 King's Stand S. and G1 Coronation S., respectively, in 2011.
“Royal Ascot is unbelievable,” Pletcher commented. “We hope to do a little better than we did with our runners before but it was still a great experience. I have been a few times to Royal Ascot when I haven't had runners. It is a fantastic event and we look forward to coming back, hopefully with some success this time.”
The Queen Anne has attracted 33 entries, including Miss Temple City (Temple City), who could make the trip over for a third straight season, having finished fourth in the G1 Coronation S. two years ago before filling the same spot in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. last June.
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