Wednesday 22 June 2016 16:38, UK
Acapulco is set to return to York for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes following her defeat in the five-furlong dash last summer.
American trainer Wesley Ward reports the three-year-old filly to be heading to the Knavesmire on August 19 in a bid to atone for finishing second to Mecca's Angel after leading until the last 50 yards.
Acapulco won last year's Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot but was taken out of the King's Stand Stakes there last week because of the rain-softened ground.
"We are excited about Acapulco going. Unfortunately the ground was against her at Ascot. We are crossing our fingers that hopefully we get some sunshine at York," said Ward.
"She ran a beautiful race on the going there last year. She showed an affinity for it and I think she's a bigger, stronger, faster filly this year and will pack a lot more weight than she did last year. She's a big, strong filly and I think she can handle it."
Ward has also given an entry to Lady Aurelia, but remains of the view that this year's astonishing Queen Mary winner is more likely to head to France for the Prix Morny.
"We are just keeping the options open, but she's 90 per cent going to the Morny in France. Everything's fine with her after Ascot," he said.
"She took to the going which is always a question with every two-year-old I've raced. She's a tremendous filly and should have a big future."
News of Acapulco's plans saw Sky Bet quote her at 7/1 for the Nunthorpe.
Three other Royal Ascot two-year-old winners - John Gosden's Ardad (Windsor Castle), the Aidan O'Brien-trained Caravaggio (Coventry Stakes) and Prince Of Lir (Norfolk) - are among the 44 Nunthorpe contenders. All would receive a hefty weight allowance from their older rivals if allowed to take part.
A stellar entry also features other horses victorious at the Royal meeting - Profitable (King's Stand Stakes), Twilight Son (Diamond Jubilee) and Quiet Reflection (Commonwealth Cup).
Last year's winner Mecca's Angel is likely to try to retain her crown while Sole Power, successful in 2010 and 2014, could try to claim the prize for a third time at the age of nine.
Other notable entries include Goldream, Magical Memory, Cotai Glory and Air Force Blue.
A clash of the generations is on the cards in the Juddmonte International two days earlier on August 17.
Coronation Cup hero Postponed and Prince of Wales's winner My Dream Boat are among the older horses in the 40-strong entry as well as last year's winner Arabian Queen.
Aidan O'Brien can choose from a host of top-class three-year-olds, headed by Derby runner-up US Army Ranger, Derby third, Idaho, Dante second Deauville, French 2000 Guineas winner The Gurkha, Ribblesdale scorer Even Song and Minding, winner of the 1000 Guineas and Oaks.
The Ballydoyle trainer also has some nice older horses in there too such as Wolferton winner Sir Isaac Newton, Highland Reel and Found.
Others in the mix include Cannock Chase, Dariyan, The Grey Gatsby, Time Test, Tryster, Massaat and Dante winner Wings Of Desire.
Found, Even Song and Minding are among O'Brien's entries in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on August 18 in which the Jim Bolger-trained Pleascach could try to repeat her victory of 2015 in this mile-and-a-half Group One.
There a total of 37 possibles, including Musidora winner So Mi Dar, Investec Oaks second and third Architecture and Harlequeen, Duke of Cambridge Stakes runner-up Furia Cruzada, Simple Verse and Speedy Boarding.
