The Lineup
9:30 am ET | Norfolk Stakes
10:05 am ET | King George V Stakes
10:40 am ET | Ribblesdale Stakes
11:20 am ET | Ascot Gold Cup
12:00 pm ET | Britannia Stakes
12:35 pm ET | Hampton Court Stakes
1:10 pm ET | Buckingham Palace Stakes
The Incentive
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The Americans
US-based juveniles are in the hunt in the day’s first race, the listed Norfolk Stakes at five furlongs. American Rascal, the first foal out of superstar mare Lady Aurelia, looks to build off a smashing debut at Keeneland. The Wesley Ward trainee romped by 10-1/4 lengths in his dirt unveiling. Gulfstream Park’s automatic bid winner No Nay Mets also goes postward for trainer George Weaver. Weaver won Tuesday’s Queen Mary with a similar GP qualifier, Crimson Advocate. And later, the Ascot Gold Cup in Race 4 doesn’t have an American-based runner, but US punters are quite familiar with 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf 1-2 finishers Yibir and Broome.
The Main Event
Race 4 is the Group 1 $340,260 Ascot Gold Cup for the marathon stayers. The two and one-half mile test lands exactly at the midpoint of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. The 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf top 2 re-match here with Yibir and Broome, adding another chapter to the Godolphin-Coolmore rivalry. Neither is among the favorites with the British bookmakers. Coltrane came off a 200-day layoff to easily win the local Gold Cup trial prep and is the likely public choice. Trainer John Gosden had the 3-time Gold Cup winner Stradivarius dominate this race from 2018-2020 and looks to pass the baton to Courage Mon Ami, an unbeaten son of Frankel taking a major class and distance rise.
The Tips
Here are the top picks in each race, courtesy of the UK’s At The Races betting guide handicappers.
Race 1 | #4 Elite Status
Race 2 | #7 Wonder Legend
Race 3 | #1 Al Asifah
Race 4 | #12 Eldar Eldarov
Race 5 | #9 Docklands
Race 6 | #10 Exoplanet
Race 7 | #19 Baradar