Royal Ascot Meet 2014

The Royal Ascot meet opens at the Ascot racecourse in UK today.

The first race is at  9:30 am ET.

International Past Performances are available here.

Short write ups:

Race 1: Queen Anne Stakes  1mile (GR 1 for 4 yr olds and upwards) 9:30 am

#8 Toronado is coming after a long layoff but is listed as the M/L favorite. He has wins at the 1 mile distance at the Gr 1 level from last year. Little value here though if he goes off as the favorite.
#10 Verrazano has yet to perform after moving across the pond from US but he has been prepping well and might have a thing or two to say.

The wild card might be #5 Producer, who is stepping up in class but is dropping weight from his last race (where he came first at a mile).

Race 2: Coventry Stakes - 6F (GR 2 stakes for 2 yr olds) 10:05 am

#4 Capella Sansavero is unbeaten in 3 races and looks to run good

#12 Kool Kompany looks exceptionally good for this field. (8-1 M/L)

#6 - if you like the name, might be worth a bet :P

Race 3: King's Stand Stakes  - 5F  (GR 1 3 YO and upwards) 10:45 am

#1 Ahtoug is a real fighter and was 2nd to (#8) SheaShea in the Gr 2 Meydan sprint and 2nd again by a neck in a Gr 1 sprint.

#8 SheaShea - always a SOLID contender.

#6 Pearl Secret could be the value bet here.

Race 4: St. James Palace Stakes  - 1 mile (GR 1 - 3 YO Entire Colts only) 11:25am

#1 Kingman - a John Gosden trainee has been very impressive in his four victories out of his five career races.

#2 night of Thunder defeated Kingman in the Qipco 2000 Guineas recently. Expect a strong match up between these two.

#6 War Command could produce an upset.

Other races covered