Royal Ascot reaches its grand finale on Saturday, and after four outstanding days of racing, the Horse Racing Today team looks to finish the meeting on a high note. Terry, Tom, and Rich have attacked every race of the meeting with three different handicapping styles, producing multiple trifectas, exactas, longshot contenders, and Best Bet winners along the way.
Friday’s card features the Norfolk Stakes, Hardwicke Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Jersey Stakes, Wokingham Stakes, Golden Gates Stakes, and the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes. The spotlight falls on several international stars, including Group 1 performers Kalpana, Goliath, Satono Reve, Joliestar, and the unbeaten Saber Strike.
ROYAL ASCOT – SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH – DAY FIVE
Best Bets & Longshots
Terry’s Best Bet: Race 4 – Saber Strike (#12)
Terry’s Longshot: Race 2 – Ethical Diamond (#3)
Tom’s Best Bet: Race 2 – Goliath (#5)
Tom’s Longshot: Race 6 – Balzac (#10)
Rich’s Best Bet: Race 3 – Satono Reve (#14)
Rich’s Longshot: Race 2 – Santorini Star (#12)
Race 1 – Norfolk Stakes
Terry’s Picks
3 – Carry The Flag – Won two races back in 58:2 at 5 furlongs; Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by RL Moore.
19 – Ez Tina – Comes in from Woodbine after winning her debut race easily; Trained by Wesley Ward.
18 – Where Love Lives – Won 2 races in a row going for a hat trick; Both wins at today’s distance.
10 – Orthodox – Won debut race with a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Alternates: 5 – Flight Signal, 13 – Social Symbol
Tom’s Tips
3 – Carry The Flag – one win, two seconds in three races. One of the seconds was to a Royal Ascot winner. Favorite. Moore/O’Brien.
10 – Orthodox – won at Salisbury going away. Interesting prospect at a price.
18 – Where Love Lives – green in first start and won, beat runner-up that ran second in the Coventry.
12 – Savage Mariner – showed speed and a fast finish to run second.
Alternatives: 15 – Star Prospect, 13 – Social Symbol, 17 – Underdog, 20 – Fanshell Beach
Rich’s Ranks
10 – Orthodox – could have some of the best closing kick and this is loaded with pace.
16 – Tribeca – post hurts – but won debut and 2nd and 3rd place horses won next out.
20 – Fanshell Beach – exploded late in her debut – 2nd place won next out.
18 – Where Love Lives – undefeated in a pair and can pilot or co-pilot.
ALT: 17 – Underdog, 14 – Sovereign Glory
Race 2 – Hardwicke Stakes
Terry’s Picks
3 – Ethical Diamond – Won 3 races out of the last 5 starts, 2 of the wins at today’s distance; Amassed over $3 million.
11 – Kalpana – Has won the last 2 races, a G1 and G3 events; Has a high % winning trainer.
6 – Jan Brueghel – Finished in the money in 8 races out of the last 9 starts, winning 5 races; Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by RL Moore.
5 – Goliath – Has 2 starts at Ascot, winning 1 race and finishing 2nd in the other; Likes the distance.
Alternates: 2 – Best Secret, 4 – Giavellotto
Tom’s Tips
5 – Goliath – returned to winning form, dangerous.
11 – Kalpana – very good mare always runs decent races.
9 – Ethical Diamond – Breeders’ Cup Turf winner. Two fourths in the last races.
7 – Lambourn – speed, Epsom Derby winner, inside post. On lead.
Alternatives: 4 – Giavellotto, 6 – West Wind Blow, 8 – Santorini Star
Rich’s Ranks
12 – Santorini Star (Longshot) – has some versatility and potentially better in the 3rd up.
11 – Kalpana – Group 1 winner – Ascot 4/2-1-1.
2 – Best Secret – 2/2 at the distance and will be closing.
6 – Jan Brueghel – can run any style.
ALT: 5 – Goliath, 4 – Giavellotto
Race 3 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Terry’s Picks
14 – Satono Reve – Has finished in the money in 78% of career starts and won 50%; at today’s distance has finished in the money in 81% of starts and won 50%.
17 – Joliestar – Winning machine winning the last 3 starts; Has a veteran jockey.
13 – Sajir – Won the last race; Has a high % winning jockey.
8 – Lake Forest – Having a good career finishing in the money in 50% of the races, winning 25% of the starts, earning over $4 million.
Alternates: 9 – Lugal, 3 – Comanche Brave
Tom’s Tips
17 – Joliestar – Australia runner off three wins in a row.
18 – Satono Reve – no match for Ka Ying Rising in the last race, ran second at Royal Ascot last year.
3 – Comanche Brave – blew away the field at the Curragh. Top form.
9 – Lugal – Japanese shipper ran second last time in Dubai.
6 – Khaadem – old guy may find a way to win again at Royal Ascot, done it twice before.
Alternatives: 10 – Powerful Glory, 13 – Sajir, 15 – Stolen Kiss
Rich’s Ranks
14 – Satono Reve (Best Bet) – has finished behind Ka Ying Rising and not by much a few times.
1 – Almeraq – can run any style – helpful in a big field.
17 – Joliestar – on a 3-race win streak and another that finished close behind Ka Ying Rising.
11 – Powerful Glory – all-or-nothing horse – has a Group 1 Ascot win.
ALT: 10 – Overpass, 15 – Stolen Kiss
Race 4 – Jersey Stakes
Terry’s Picks
12 – Saber Strike – Undefeated in 2 career starts, winning all easily; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
11 – Neolithic – Finished in the money in the last 4 starts, winning 2 races; Can handle the distance. Trained by Aidan O’Brien.
17 – The Prettiest Star – Finished in the money in 2 out of 3 career starts, winning 1 race. Strong trainer and jockey stats.
8 – Colori Forever – Always in the hunt, finishing in the money in 5 of 6 career starts, winning 3 races; Does well at today’s distance.
Alternates: 9 – Into The Sky, 3 – Andab
Tom’s Tips
12 – Saber Strike – two runs, two wins, and the last was top-rated. One to beat.
2 – Thesecretadversary – drops back in distance, that should be the key.
8 – Colori Forever – winner at Ascot in May, moves up and in top form.
7 – Catullus – won last, moves up after beating a field of seventeen.
Alternative: 3 – Andab
Rich’s Ranks
12 – Saber Strike – undefeated with two easy wins.
5 – Avicenna – 2/2 at the distance – 1 goofy race in three.
8 – Colori Forever – I’m ranking him as the top closer.
17 – The Prettiest Star – fits here – should be in the mix from start to finish.
ALT: 9 – Into The Sky, 14 – America Queen
Race 5 – Wokingham Stakes
Terry’s Picks
4 – Double Rush – Won 2 races in a row going for a hat trick; Has a high % winning trainer.
18 – Ten Pounds – Finished 2nd in last race; Can go the distance.
6 – Binhareer – Finished in the money in 6 races out of the last 7 starts, winning 3 races; Can handle the distance.
2 – Soldier’s Tree – Has been competing in cheaper races but has finished in the money in 4 out of 4 career starts, winning 1 race; Veteran jockey in the irons.
Alternates: 12 – Hammer The Hammer, 16 – Fandom
Tom’s Tips
17 – Far Above Dream – a winner of two this year, moves up.
24 – Evening Saigon – won last two on all-weather and turf, big test today.
9 – Dubai Bling – good second at Chester after races in Bahrain. Big longshot.
4 – Double Rush – short-priced horse coming off two wins. Adds penalty weight.
Alternatives: 19 – Completely Random, 11 – Leovanni, 1 – Spy Chief
Rich’s Ranks
6 – Binhareer – can run any style and that works in a big field.
24 – Evening Saigon – won 4 of 5 first-up efforts.
1 – Spy Chief – really improved in only other 2nd up.
27 – Sondad – post sucks – but win/place/show in 3 at Ascot.
ALT: 4 – Double Rush, 2 – Soldier’s Tree
Race 6 – Golden Gates Stakes
Terry’s Picks
12 – Lost Boys – Won 3 races out of 5 career starts, finishing 3rd in the other 2 starts; Likes the distance.
5 – Accredit – Won the last 2 starts easily; Has a high % winning trainer.
8 – Harmonics – Won 2 races in a row going for a hat trick; The last win at today’s distance.
14 – Perisher – Won the last 2 races; Finished in the money in 5 out of 6 starts at today’s distance.
Alternates: 15 – Princling, 19 – Wild Thoughts
Tom’s Tips
10 – Balzac – toss last, not a Group 1 horse, much better at this level.
11 – Amadeus Mozart – overall good races, short distance, and this type of handicap race should suit him.
16 – Folk Pageant – won last three, nice run at Epsom on the soft going. Has won on good/firm.
5 – Accredit – won last two races, but wide draw hurts chances.
Alternatives: 14 – Perisher, 12 – Lost Boys
Rich’s Ranks
2 – Sahara King – Lone PC – everybody else is forward – should get an excellent trip.
12 – Lost Boys – ¾ of a length from winning four in a row – 2/2 at the distance.
5 – Accredit – can’t ignore a horse that won by 11 in his last – more distance helps.
8 – Harmonics – crushed his first go on turf.
ALT: 6 – Bayaann, 14 – Perisher
Race 7 – Queen Alexandra Stakes
Terry’s Picks
1 – A Piece Of Heaven – Won the last race at 2-5/16 miles so he can go long distances; Finished in the money in 7 races out of the last 9 starts on the turf, winning 3 races.
4 – Columbus – Ran 2nd in the last race at 2-1/2 miles; Young jockey who has talent.
9 – Le Destrier – Finished in the money in the last 3 races, winning 1 race; Can handle the distance.
6 – French Master – Has finished in the money in 60% of career starts and won 40%; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Alternates: 11 – Mr Hollywood, 2 – Berkshire Sundance
Tom’s Tips
9 – Le Destrier – loves this distance, and the owner/trainer has won this race three times in the last five years. Pointed to here. Favorite.
4 – Columbus – last a second over the novice hurdles. The distance should be to his liking.
10 – Maxi King – he always seems close but doesn’t win. In-the-money bet only.
1 – A Piece Of Heaven – stinker in the hurdle race but good efforts in the last three. If he likes this distance, he should do well.
Alternatives: 11 – Mr Hollywood, 8 – Illinois
Rich’s Ranks
6 – French Master – can run any style.
9 – Le Destrier – should get a good trip as a closer – but questions in 2nd up after more than a year off.
1 – A Piece Of Heaven – coming off a strong win – the quality starts in a row.
8 – Illinois – Moore and O’Brien – if he can run back to effort vs Scandinavia – he wins.
ALT: 4 – Columbus, 11 – Mr Hollywood
