Racecards
15:35 Curragh (IRE)
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €250,000 added
- Winner: €142,500
- 2nd: €47,500
- 3rd: €22,501
- 4th: €10,000
- Form 10
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey C T Keane
held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and drifted badly left 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 2113
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 4th over 1f out, no extra, eased
- Form 3410
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey D O'Brien
prominent and led after 1f, pushed along and headed 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression closing stages
- Form 1441
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
broke well, ran freely, tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 1f out and kept on inside final furlong
Verdict
This has been 'farmed' by Aidan O'Brien in recent years having won a dozen of the last 16 renewals including with some very smart performers. SERGEI PROKOFIEV heads a quartet of Ballydoyle entries here and though beaten by Calyx and today's rival Advertise in the Coventry Stakes there's good reason to suggest he can reverse places with the runner-up. Both had their excuses, the former being drawn on the wrong side to the winner while Ryan Moore's mount didn't get the run of the race. It should be a fascinating clash of tactics with Frankie coming over to ride Advertise. None of the remainder have comparable form though So Perfect looks to have plenty of scope and has won a Group 3 on this track.
Formwatch
Advertise 11-10fav (9-0) Held up off the pace, wide and headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Konchek (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Indigo Balance (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Prominent stands side, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 22nd of 23, 13 1/4l behind Calyx (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Sergei Prokofiev (CAN) 3-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear far side, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead this group inside final furlong, headed close home, 3rd of 23, 1 1/4l behind Calyx (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
The Irish Rover (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Dwelt close up stands side, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 23, 9 3/4l behind Calyx (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
So Perfect (USA) 6-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, soon pushed along, progress to challenge 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near line, won at Curragh 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gf in Jul beating Skitter Scatter (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gossamer Wings (USA) 11-2 (9-0) In touch, switched left over 1f out, ridden to chase leading pair entering final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Pretty Pollyanna (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gf in Jul.