Ascot Racecourse Horse Racing Picks
Ascot Racecourse (Free Ascot Past Performances)
A Breeders’ Cup bid is on the line Saturday at Ascot Racecourse. It’s one of Tom and Rich’s favorite tracks for Foreign Fridays. Where else would they be?
Race 2: Princess Margaret Stakes
Race 3: Valiant Stakes
Race 4: International Stakes
Race 5: King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes – Breeders’ Cup “Win and You are In”
Race 6: Pat Eddery Stakes
Ascot Horse Racing Picks and Comments
22 to 1 Tom’s Ascot Tips
RACE 1 – 1:15
British EBF Crocker Bulteel “Confined” Maiden Stakes (Not Run More Than Once) Cl2 (2yo) 6f.
2 – Back In Blank
1 – Al Misbar
7 – Our Terms
RACE 2 – 1:50
Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (2yo)
8 – Simmering – Draw 6
She has yet to win a race, but her run last out at Royal Ascot in a group 3 was excellent. She was behind Fairy Godmother by three-quarters of a length. If she had started better, she might have won the race because she pushed the winner at the end. With her last race at Ascot, she is the big favorite, and I think she will be the winner.
1 – Alice Fairfax – Draw 5
Her first race was at Doncaster, and she raced midpack, moved forward to dispute second, and didn’t finish running fourth. Her next start was a winner effort at Thirsk by a head with a front running effort. She will go to the lead and hang on for a placing.
3 – Betty Clover – Draw 1
In her Royal Ascot race, she ran in a group of fourteen on the near side and was forwardly placed, running fourth in the group but finishing eighth. She appears more versatile in her racing efforts, coming from the back of the field in listed race wins and being more forwardly placed in other races.
RACE 3 – 2:25
Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m
6 – Devoted Queen – Draw 8
A slowly developing three-year-old is undefeated in three starts, with a win in a listed race at York at this distance last time out. A favorite in all her races, she moves up to a group 3 race but is the one to beat.
1 – Doom – Draw 6
She made a strong effort last time at Royal Ascot when she rallied for three by four lengths. She was forwardly placed, slowed a bit, and came on again. She ended last season with a win in a listed race, and her two starts this season were against group company. A third-up effort could result in a win or at least a placing again.
4 – Sirona – Draw 7
A tough ask in her last race against group 1 horses. Went off at 20-1 and ran fifth by four and a quarter lengths. She showed promise in her two previous races, running second and third at seven furlongs. She last won in October 2023. She is generally a slow-breaking horse.
RACE 4 – 3:00
Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 (3yo+) 7f
16 – Hickory – Draw 2
He showed little interest in running out last time as Newbury’s favorite, and the trainer was questioned after the race about the performance. He ran better at Ascot the race before, even though he was hit in the nose by another rider’s whip during the running of the race. Now, he returns to Ascot to try again to get his chance. Form reversal today.
9 – Billyjoh – Draw 15
He lost by three lengths last time out at Royal Ascot to English Oak at 28-1 after being the favorite in his two previous starts. He was his first try at seven furlongs, and it almost worked out for the win. His in form is just a question of what kind of trip he will get because he runs a bit all over the track. An outside draw helps, I think.
17 – Riot – Draw 9
He ran near the rear last time; he needed more room with about two furlongs to go and then got on track to run fifth, finishing strongly. The comment is “eyecatcher.” At 50-1 right now, that’s an interesting comment. He moved up in class and won at York in a class 4 race. He picks up Holly Doyle. Watch.
RACE 5 – 3:40
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m4f
7 – Rebel’s Romance
He was a winner of his last four races in the Middle East, the UK, and Hong Kong. In Dubai, he went off at 25-1 in a very good field, including the non-running Augusta Rodin (who ran last), and beat them by two lengths. He has 13 winners from 19 starts, including a Breeder’s Cup Turf win. This is his preferred distance.
9 – Sunway – Draw 7
The only 3yo in the race and gets a generous weight allowance for the race. He ran an excellent second to Los Angeles at the Curragh last time at 16-1. He had all kinds of issues at Chantilly and made up some ground. He wants a group 1 at Saint-Cloud as a 2yo but has yet to win this year. Off the last race, I like his chances of getting a placing.
2 – Dubai Honour – Draw 8
He ran a great race last time out in a group 1 at Saint-Cloud and on. He prepped for his Hong Kong race with a win at Kempton on the all-weather but was a bust against Romantic Warrior, too far back and too much to do. The odds are very good, and I can see winning this race with the trip.
RACE 6 – 4:15
Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes (Listed Race) (Formerly The Winkfield Stakes) Cl1 (2yo) 7f
3 – Chancellor – Draw 2
He won his only start at Doncaster after dwelling at the beginning, raced a bit green, and was last, and then figured it out to win by four and three-quarters lengths. The Gosden’s may have a very nice 2yo, and he is the one to beat.
1 – Al Qudra – Draw 4
It took him a few starts to get the win, and it was impressive enough to run him at Royal Ascot in the Coventry, where he ran fifth. He was with the right group and with the leaders but didn’t finish, running fourth in that group of 14. He only lost by a length.
5 – New Century – Draw 3
Won last time out at Doncaster at the favorite at this distance by two and a quarter lengths. Show be forwardly placed in the running and will hold on for a placing.
RACE 7 – 4:50
Betfred Handicap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 1m
9 – Tolstoy
12 – Obelix
7 – Tempus
RACE 8- 5:25
Whispering Angel Handicap Cl2 (3yo+) 5f
5 – Pepsi Cat
1 – Albasheer
11 – Brave Nation
Rich’s Ascot Ranks
Race 2: Princess Margaret Stakes – Post Time 8:50 am ET
4 – DEFINITIVE – broke her maiden last out with a solid effort – 2nd race improvement
9 – TALES OF THE HEART – third in a G2 last out – maybe a softer bunch here
8 – SIMMERING – real close in a G3 last out – hasn’t won yet
1 – ALICE FAIRFAX – solid improvement in her last race, some rest, a better effort today
Race 3: Valiant Stakes – Post Time 9:25 am ET
7 – FRIENDLY SOUL – is unbeaten in a pair of first up races – like today
8 – SOPRANO – repeat his only tip at Ascot, firm going, and he’s two and oh at the track
6 – DEVOTED QUEEN – is undefeated in three races and, based on the comments, hasn’t been challenged
1 – DOOM – three efforts on good to firm solid enough to compete at a price
Race 4: International Stakes – Post Time 10:00 am ET
3 – ORAZIO – two of his best races at Ascot on firm footing – repeat of either could be enough
16 – HICKORY – runs his best, by far when jockey Saffie Osbourne rides – Saffie rides today
9 – BILLY JOH – solid 2024 form, runs back fresh today and should be ready to be close again
17 – RIOT – wins come on good to firm footing, he gets that here – bombs away
Race 5: King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) & Breeders’ Cup “Win and You are In” – Post Time 10:40 am ET
8 – BLUESTOCKING – is not all that far from winning 8 of his 9 races
5 – LUXEMBORG – most back class in the field – based on last race, looks like he may have found some of it
1 – AUGUSTIN RODIN – going to be the favorite to make another trip to the US to see if he can win back to back Breeders’ Cup races
7 – REBEL’S ROMANCE – won four in a row, I just wonder about his max upside
Race 6: Pat Eddery Stakes – Post Time 11:15 am ET
4 – DIVIDED – popped at a price – Steven Fielder, take the longest shot in a 5 horse race, here we are
3 – CHANCELLOR – any improvement off of his debut and easy winner
1 – AL QUDRA – missed by a length in a G2 last out at Ascot on solid footing, another furlong could help
