(Newswire.net — May 7, 2019) — The pinnacle of flat racing for many is Royal Ascot in the UK, in which many horses travel over to contest for status of being the best in the world. This season there were a number of US horses lined up to go over, with none more exciting than the Chad Brown trained three year old, Newspaperofrecord. She is proving a popular selection at bet-pa.com, despite her surprise defeat.
This came in the Edgewood Stakes (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs, as she was sent off at odds of 1/5. She travelled with her usual zest, in which she was clear at half way, before kicking off the bend. Despite this she became very laboured in the straight as the winner Concrete Rose picked her off in the final 110 yards.
This was a very disappointing display considering how impressive she was last season, and begs the question, has she retained all her ability? Connections believe she very much needed the run and will improve no end for the reappearance. This may be the case but considering she looked a superstar last season, she should have beaten that field with relative ease, whether she required the outing or not.
She entered the current campaign with a tall reputation following winning her three starts by an accumulative distance of 20 lengths. This started with a six and ¾ length victory in a Maiden at Saratoga, when quickening clear to beat stablemate Sister Kitten. Her following start she was stepped up into Grade two company, which indicated she was held in the highest regard by connections. She made all, quickening clear to win by six and a half lengths. This was a hugely impressive display and one that led to her being noted as a potential superstar and the banker of the 2018 Breeders’ Cup.
She was sent to contest the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, with a number of leading horses in opposition. This included overseas horses including the Aiden O’Brien trained Just Wonderful. Despite this opposition, she was sent off at a shade of odds on and a banker of the meeting to many. She again jumped off well, making all, and was ridden clear to win by 6 ¾ lengths. This was an appearance that screamed superstar, which is why it was such a huge disappointment she was beaten on her comeback. Her next start will be of huge interest as she still is most definitely a horse to follow with huge potential.