Golden Pal

Friday's action at York exemplifies the great diversity of European racing, with the lengthy spectacle of the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup followed just over an hour later by the untamed velocity of the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. While vastly contrasting in distance and style, both races which represent important links in the chain of the European Pattern have one major factor in common and that is the ability to showcase the people's most beloved equine characters. Very few of those who descend on York's famous "Knavesmire" need...

Having played with a crop of 3-year-old fillies unable to stay within hailing distance of her so far this year, Ballydoyle's fast-ascending starlet Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) has a proper examination awaiting her on York's Knavesmire on Thursday as Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) squares up in the G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Thoroughly scintillating in the June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks and impressive as the widest-margin winner of the G1 Irish Oaks on record at The Curragh July 17, she even has course form having kickstarted her illustrious...

Three-time group winner Suesa (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) is going well in advance of a start in the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 20 where she will face American invader Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). Undefeated in France in four starts, including the G3 Prix Sigy on Apr. 20 and the G3 Prix Texanita on May 17, the 3-year-old was eighth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup S. at Royal Ascot. Since then, the George Strawbridge colourbearer saluted in the G2 King George Qatar S. at...

Trainer Wesley Ward reports star sprinter Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) to be firing on all cylinders ahead of an intended tilt at the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 20. Last season's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner made a spectacular return to action in the GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga last month and Ward has now given the green light to a trip to the Knavesmire, with Frankie Dettori in line for the ride. Ward told PA Sport: "He had an unbelievable breeze on...

Coming off a dominating performance in the GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga, 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint champion Golden Pal is pointing towards the G1 Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 20. Trainer Wesley Ward oversaw the 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo's training at Keeneland early this week as the colt prepares for a second trip overseas after a close second last year at Ascot in the G2 Norfolk S. "I think he's really going to move forward fitness-wise from [the Quick Call] to the race in York," Ward...

Last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint scorer Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) is on course for either the G1 Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 20 or the G1 Flying Five S. at The Curragh on Sept. 12 after an eye-catching seasonal debut in Thursday's GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga for trainer Wesley Ward. It was Golden Pal's first start for the Coolmore partners and Westerberg since being purchased privately from breeder Randall Lowe. "[The Quick Call] was five and a half [furlongs], and the competition wasn't at the same...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - Four days short of two years after her death, Marylou Whitney managed to upstage Thursday's feel-good, season-opener at Saratoga Race Course. Pretty Birdie (Bird Song), bred and owned by Marylou Whitney Stables, struck just the right emotional note--bridging the past and the present--with her gate-to-wire victory in the 103rd running of the GIII Schuylerville S. "It's a little bittersweet. I wish she was here," Whitney's husband John Hendrickson said. "She would love this. Saratoga is open and she's won a race. Things are the way they...

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), off since a front-running tally in last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland, returned as sharp as ever to dominate the GIII Quick Call S. on Saratoga's opening day card Thursday. Pounded down to 1-5 favoritism while making his first start since being acquired privately by the Coolmore partners and Georg von Opel's Westerberg from his breeder Randall Lowe, the bay looked like a winner every step of the way, clicking off splits of :21.92 and :44.88 without much company and cruising away...

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), off since posting a visually impressive score in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 6, returns to action in Thursday's opening day GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga. Last term's narrow G2 Norfolk S. runner-up at Royal Ascot June 19 and ultra-sharp Skidmore S. winner at the Spa Aug. 21 was recently purchased privately by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg from breeder Randall Lowe. He is the 1-2 morning-line favorite. "He's doing really well. We're excited about...

The Wesley Ward-conditioned Bound for Nowhere (The Factor) and Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) each turned in breezes over the Belmont turf course Thursday morning in advance of the expected arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa, with each being pointed towards turf sprint stakes during the early part of the Saratoga meet. Also owned by Ward, Bound for Nowhere came from well back to defeat an unlucky Imprimis (Broken Vow) in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 3 and was last seen finishing third to Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) after setting the majority...

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), front-running winner of the 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint for his breeder Randall Lowe, has been purchased by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, a Coolmore official confirmed Wednesday. The first foal out of Lowe's outstanding 11-time stakes winner Lady Shipman (Midshipman), Golden Pal was bought back on a bid of $325,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September sale and was runner-up on debut over the Gulfstream main track last April before missing by a neck to The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince...

Stonestreet Stables's Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), the winner of last week's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, will skip an intended start in the G1 July Cup on July 10 and instead ship back to trainer Wesley Ward's Keeneland base on Wednesday. Campanelle's new target is the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, Ward confirmed. "We're going for the Maurice de Gheest on Aug. 8, so we'll have plenty of time to get her back here tomorrow and get her ready and get her there a couple days before...