With the G1 English 2000 Guineas—the Japanese equivalent of the Satsuki Sho—now in the books, attention in Britain shifts to the G1 Epsom Derby (Epsom, 2410m turf) scheduled for Saturday, June 6. A new battle is brewing among the top three-year-olds.
Bough Echo (colt, 3, by Night of Thunder), who won the 2000 Guineas fresh off a layoff, has decided to bypass the Derby and target the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (Ascot, 1600m turf) starting June 16, seeking the title of top miler.
The Derby picture is now dominated by Aidan O’Brien’s stable in Ireland, which aims for an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the classic.
Three weeks before the big race, the ante-post favorite is O’Brien’s ace, Benvenuto Cellini (colt, 3, by Frankel), who romped home in the G3 Chester Vase (Chester, 2500m turf) on June 5. The second favorite is Constitution River (colt, 3, by Upton Bassett), who crushed his rivals by seven lengths in the Listed Dee Stakes on June 6. On June 14, the G2 Dante Stakes (York, 2100m turf) will feature Christmas Day (colt, 3, by Camelot) as the likely favorite, aiming to claim the position of “third horse” in O’Brien’s arsenal after a string of graded victories spanning the new year.
Beyond these, O’Brien is also rumored to be considering Pierre Bonard (colt, 3, by Camelot), who was narrowly beaten last time out but previously won the French G1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud (2000m turf) at two.
There is also speculation that Constitution River might switch his target to the G1 French Derby (Chantilly, 2100m turf) on May 31. That leaves the door open for Ryan Moore to choose him for that race instead. Last year, Moore opted for Delacroix (9th) carrying the stable’s banner and failed to produce a result, so his choice this time will be even more critical.