By Dave Johnson
For you, would Royal Ascot be more of a social occasion or a sporting opportunity?
More of “who's that?” or “I had that!”
Would you know who was in the second carriage of the Royal Procession today by only knowing their first names: Wills & Kate, Camilla & Charles?
Or, would you know the first four jockeys past the winning post in today's St. James's Palace Stakes if you only had their first names: Ryan, Adam, Frankie & James?
There are richer races. There are pricier parties. There are larger race crowds. But to be in the winners enclosure after a race at the most famous racetrack in the world during the brief and historic fortnight in June is what people live for.
Today was a tough day. The weather was blah, on and off rain all day long. A train strike/slowdown rattled thousands of racegoers even before the Royal Procession, where Queen Elizabeth II wore a blue hat (favored at 3/2.) My pal, Elinor Penna bet rose. (Four more days, Elinor. You can scratch blue.)
On the track, we saw no Wesley Ward youngsters. A 10-time winner at this meet, he brought eight two-year-olds and one older horse to the U.K. He cross-entered all of the two-year-olds, but will unveil 4 of them on Wednesday. Two in the opener, the G2 Queen Mary S. and two in the closer, the Listed Windsor Castle S. All four have been out one time each. All four have been impressive winners of their lone starts at Keeneland or Belmont.
If you are wondering “where in the world is Tyler Gaffalione?” He's here. And so is John Velasquez. They will each ride for Wesley. Tyler is on Anna's Fast (Fast Anna) and Kimari (Munnings). Johnny V. rides Foolish Humor (Distorted Humor) and Karak (Karakontie {Jpn}).
Looking for much better weather, a settled rail strike and a yankee doodle dandy or two accepting a trophy Wednesday at The Royal Meeting.
Editor's note: Dave Johnson is a racecaller and sportscaster (famous for his signature `And down the stretch they come!') who is attending his 25th consecutive Royal Ascot meeting this year. He is writing a daily Ascot report for the TDN from an American's perspective.
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