Acapulco Goes Loco

Wesley Ward was no shrinking violet in the build-up to Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, and stressed just how well Acapulco (Scat Daddy) had prepared for her date with destiny. Having surprised her trainer by fading into third after attempting to make all tackling 4 1/2 furlongs on the Churchill Downs main track May 8, he reported the imposing chestnut had breezed in eye-popping style in subsequent Keeneland works. Ultimately, the $750,000 OBS March purchase (click here for breeze video) justified every breath of hyperbole, and improved the Washington State native's burgeoning Royal tally to five, which includes a win for Jealous Again (Trippi) in the 2009 renewal of this juvenile distaffers' dash. Acapulco was allowed to find a rhythm through the early fractions after missing the break by half a stride. Cruising up to the lead just after halfway, the well-backed 5-2 chalk engaged top gear once let loose by Ryan Moore approaching the final eighth to score by a hugely impressive 1 1/2 lengths from the hitherto unbeaten Easton Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Besharah (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) proved best of the remainder and was 2 1/2 lengths further adrift in third. “She's very special, has a great attitude and loads of pace,” enthused Moore. “She wasn't very quickly away, but cruised up to the lead and had far too many gears for the rest of them. She's all speed.” “Acapulco is a sweetheart, what a lovely filly,” beamed trainer Wesley Ward. “She has immense talent and immense speed and really proved it today. It is a huge relief to get a winner. You don't want to come in here and go home with your head held low, so to get a winner early on is amazing. I was very disappointed after her first run and I did something unconventional and breezed her right back in seven days time, and it was the most phenomenal breeze I've ever had. I think she's got a big future on turf. She's a beautiful, gorgeous filly and to look at her you'd think she was four.” Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain QUEEN MARY S.-G2, £100,000, ASC, 6-17, 2yo, f, 5fT, 1:00.03, g/f. 1–#@ACAPULCO, 126, f, 2, by Scat Daddyhttps://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/members/progenypps/pps_report.cfm?sire_name=First%20Samurai 1st Dam: Global Finance, by End Sweep 2nd Dam: Friendly Wave, by Pentelicus 3rd Dam: Friendly Gesture (Ire), by Sallust (GB) ($180,000 Ylg '14 FTKJUL; $750,000 2yo '15 OBSMAR). O-Mrs G Smith, Mrs D Tabor, Mrs J Magnier; B-Giles Charles Dr. (KY); T-Wesley Ward; J-Ryan Moore. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $93,140. *1/2 to Prenuptial (Broken Vow), SW-US, $138,750. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Easton Angel (Ire), 126, f, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)– Staceymac (Ire), by Elnadim. (18,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; £30,000 ylg '14 DNPRM). O-Al Shaqab Racing & Ritchie Fiddes; B-James Waldron (IRE); T-Michael Dods. £21,500. 3–Besharah (Ire), 126, f, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Dixieland Kiss, by Dixie Union. (30,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 85,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Gerard Kerin (IRE); T-William Haggas. £10,760. Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 2HF. Odds: 2.50, 6.50, 6.00. Also Ran: Kurland (Ire), Kassia (Ire), Little Voice, Ring of Truth (GB), Delizia (Ire), Rebel Surge (Ire), Rah Rah (GB), Abberley Dancer (Ire), Bruised Orange, New Road Side (GB), Silk Bow (GB), Pity Cash (Ire), Cry Me A River (Ire), Secret Tale (Ire), Just Emma (GB), Rosealee (Ire), Shaden (Ire). Scratched: Dark Side Princess (GB), Caledonian Gold (GB), Cobana Sand (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.