Racecards
16:10 Curragh (IRE)
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €250,000 added
- Winner: €150,000
- 2nd: €50,000
- 3rd: €25,000
- 4th: €12,500
- Form 22112
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 108
held up off pace in last early, closer 7th on far side 2f out, soon ridden, went 4th 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
- Form 611544
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 104
led, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, regained narrow lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
- Form 121
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer D Loughnane
- Jockey R G Ryan
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along under 2f out, ridden to dispute lead 1f out, headed and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening
- Form 6130
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
towards rear, ridden in last 2f out, went moderate 6th 1f out, no extra
- Form 1694
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
dwelt, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, weakened
- Form 35175
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M O'Callaghan
- Jockey L F Roche
chased leaders in 5th, ridden under 2f out, soon no impression
- Form 144
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
Verdict
This doesn't have the quality of previous years but that won't trouble David Loughnane, who came here with GO BEARS GO for the Group 2 Railway Stakes and went away with a comfortable victory over six of today's rivals. Always travelling well, he had just over a length in hand over Castle Star with Dr Zempf back in fourth, Twilight Jet fifth, The Entertainer ninth and Strapped and Arges bringing up the rear. Dr Zempf could be the one to chase home the selection though fellow raider Ebro River, a Listed winner at Sandown, can make the journey pay with some minor prize money. Prettiest had excuses for a moderate showing at Leopardstown though still needs to step up.
Formwatch
Castle Star (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Dwelt and towards rear, progress 1 1/2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, drifted slightly right inside final furlong, kept on without reaching winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Go Bears Go (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Dr Zempf 15-8fav (9-5) Held up, mid-division halfway, progress 1 1/2f out, ridden in 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Go Bears Go (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Ebro River (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Raced keenly tracking leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on towards finish, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Asymmetric (9-0) at Goodwood 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Go Bears Go (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Prominent and pressed leader, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun beating Castle Star (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Strapped (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on near side, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, 13th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Go Bears Go (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
The Entertainer (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on well inside final 150 yards, 4th of 5, 2l behind Beauty Inspire (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Twilight Jet (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Towards rear, switched left 2f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Go Bears Go (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Prettiest (USA) 10-11fav (9-2) Held up in rear, 5th 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace to 4th close home, no threat, 4th of 5, 4 3/4l behind Agartha (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Arges (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Disputed lead, ran freely, 2nd halfway and bumped by rival over 2f out, led entering straight, ridden and headed 150 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Areille (8-11) at Sligo 6f mdn Yielding in Aug.