NEWS
Raven’s Pass steals show in QE II
Posted: Saturday, September 27, 2008 5:06 PM
RAVEN'S PASS
Racing Post photo
by Mike Curry
The Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-G1) was billed as a showdown between top milers Henrythenavigator and Tamayuz, but improving three-year-old Raven’s Pass crashed the party with a one-length win on Saturday at Ascot.
The chestnut Elusive Quality colt stormed past Tamayuz in the stretch and repelled a determined bid from Henrythenavigator throughout the final furlong to prevail under Jimmy Fortune. Raven’s Pass earned his first win at the highest level after twice finishing second this year in Group 1 races.
Trained by John Gosden, Raven’s Pass finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Tamayuz in the Abu Dhabi Sorouh Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1) on July 13 and second by a head to Henrythenavigator in the BGC Sussex Stakes (Eng-G1) on July 30 at Goodwood.
After a clear win in the Totesport.com Celebration Mile (Eng-G2) on August 23 at Goodwood, Raven’s Pass showed he was up to the challenge against his familiar foes in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
"We knew this time we were going to be a little handier—that was the only plan,” Gosden told England's Press Association.
The victory earned Raven’s Pass a starting spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) on October 25 at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park, but Gosden said the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) also is a possibility.
“He sees his races out well now and physically he has done very well,” Gosden told Racing Post. “If the Mile was run somewhere like Belmont [Park] with one turn it would be fine, but it is a two-turn mile at Santa Anita and you can get done by the draw, so on that basis we will entertain running in the Classic."
Racinger and Honoured Guest dueled for the early led and set a swift pace for stablemates Tamayuz and Henrythenavigator, respectively. Tamayuz seized command in the stretch, but flattened out as Raven’s Pass charged past. Henrythenavigator unleashed his bid from behind Raven’s Pass and drew alongside that foe, but Raven’s Pass turned back the challenge.
Owned by Princess Haya and breeder Stonerside Stable, Raven’s Pass completed one mile in 1:38.94 on turf rated as good. Out of the Grade 3-winning Lord At War (Arg) mare Ascutney, Raven’s Pass improved to five wins in 11 starts
Aidan O’Brien, who trains Henrythenavigator for owner Susan Magnier, was pleased with the three-year-old Kingmambo colt’s effort.
"He ran a stormer but the ground was quite loose and he's better on a fast surface,” O’Brien told England’s Press Association. “I'm not putting that up as an excuse, and hopefully we'll have a look at Santa Anita [Breeders' Cup]—although I'm not sure which race yet."
Dual classic winner Henrythenavigator is under consideration for both the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Breeders’ Cup Mile. Henrythenavigator was 4 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Sabina Perdida. Multiple Group 1 winner Tamayuz finished another three lengths back in fourth for trainer Freddie Head.
"He ran a bit flat and was beaten a long way," Head told England’s Press Association. "It was a bit hot today and he got a bit excited before the race."
The Ascot card featured the first three Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series races held in England.
Rainbow View gave Gosden his second Breeders’ Cup Challenge win with a convincing 2 1/2-length victory under Fortune in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile (Eng-G1). George Strawbridge’s homebred Dynaformer filly improved to four wins in as many starts as the overwhelming favorite.
Rainbow View powered past runner-up Fantasia at the eighth pole and completed one mile in 1:40.82 to earn a starting spot in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on October 24 at Santa Anita. Strawbridge and Gosden said Rainbow View will be considered for the Breeders’ Cup.
"I think we have just seen an unusually good filly,” Strawbridge told England’s Press Association. “Gosden keeps telling me she is small, but I think that with each race she keeps getting bigger!"
Jukebox Jury rallied from last to first to edge favorite Cityscape by three-quarters of a length in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Eng-G2).
The Montjeu (Ire) colt completed one mile in 1:40.59 to cement a spot in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on October 25 at Santa Anita. Jukebox Jury improved to two wins in four starts for trainer Mark Johnston.
“We could not resist this step up in class and always thought he was capable at this level,” Johnston told Racing Post. “He has a funny attitude but definitely has the ability. We will take him home and discuss the Breeders' Cup.”
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
