Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: New Little Big Bear 2000 Guineas Favorite After Curragh Group One | Racing news

Aidan O’Brien’s little bear looked like a superstar as he dominated the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes from start to finish to help coach Ballydoyle win his sixth at Curragh Group One in the past seven years.

There is drama early in the contest as 11-8 favorite Bradsell seemed to stagger as he stepped out of the stall, but it was Little Bear who was sent to the front by Ryan Moore in the early stages.

The 13-8 hit was obscured by Richard Hannon’s Persian Force, who at one stage seemed to move better than No Nay Never’s son, but when the UK drivers loomed over Two-feathers long, the Anglesey Stakes winner was just starting to slip into top gear and quickly sped away from his pursuers.

Daylight was the biggest danger in the protracted final with the youngster scoring a seven-time stretch success against the Persian Forces, with Shartash, who finished his best job late, one half time back to third.

The win not only netted a hat-trick for the highly talented two-year-old, but also O’Brien’s 17th success in the competition for six longhairs and very impressive classes, with the foal. favorites across the board for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

O’Brien said: “He’s a big, strong, strong horse. He travels and is agile. Before the race, we had a little bit of a scare with him when he got here. .

“He kicked the wall and the shoe clip went into his foot. He was a bit soft when the shoe was put back on. It could go both ways very easily, so it was a great appeal. great John Halley and Lynn Hillyer let him run.

“Ryan said when he let him go it was over. He improved with each run. He ran here on the last day with the aim of participating in this race.

“He likes a good pitch so he can show his speed. It was a very good race, but he has serious class. From day one we thought he was a bit special. .

Nunthorpe Option for Little Big Bear

“At Ascot we thought he was going to walk away with five (feathers) even though we were happy to go with him six.

“The players can decide what they want to do. He has a lot of options and he can do anything, I suppose.

“He has a lot of options and the boys can decide what they want to do with him, they can go to Morny with him, they can go to Nunthorpe. I don’t think he lacks pace in any way. Either way, he’s strong and he’s mature.

“He could go to Middle Park or Dewhurst.”

Go Bears Back in top form in Phoenix Sprint

By David Loughnane Go Bears Go took all the yards to get back to winning ways in the Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes at Curragh on Saturday.

Away from the first cheek strokes, Rossa Ryan has always been at the forefront of the work on Kodi Bear’s son and shows incredible tenacity to keep looking when challenged in the closing stages, Ano Syra’s foothold to score a winning goal 1/4 length.

This is the second time the dark horse owned by Amo Racing and Omnihorse Racing has struck at the Kildare site, which also landed the Railway Stakes at the age of two, and an all-out win was the perfect way for the speed trio – five years old to build a second in Hackwood Stakes in Newbury.

Loughnane said: “It’s easy to train a good horse. He loves it here – three runs, two wins and a third in last year’s Phoenix Stakes where I think he got a bit out of luck. Lucky to go to the wrong track with strong winds.

“He was frustrated with Royal Ascot but just got out of bed wrong, overheated and didn’t run his race.” He’s only been out of the frame twice in his life and is an absolute joy to train with. He is a horse that I hold very close to my heart and probably always will be.

“He’s a hunting dog and will be going into the ring with Mike Tyson – he’s not afraid of anyone. The longer they come to him the better he is. I’d love to see him over seven.”

Go Bears Go was cut to 12-1 for Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Trophy by sponsors, but Loughnane reveals an American adventure is on the cards for Go Bears Go, possibly followed by a trip to Paris.

“For now, the plan is to go to the Kentucky Downs on September 10,” he said. “There’s a Second Class there that’s worth a lot of money over six and a half feet and then maybe incline in the Foret in October,” he said.

“He doesn’t want to be too long between his races, he gets a little bored. He wants three weeks, maybe four weeks, and he loves to travel. This race has worked really well. .”