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| Staff Writer |
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Laurelin remains unbeaten in three starts after claiming the Memories Of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, with connections now eyeing a potential trip to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes.
The 3YO filly, trained by Graham Motion, narrowly triumphed in the one-mile turf contest when opening her campaign on April 29.
Motion has twice sent runners to finish second in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes with Sharing (2020) and Spendarella (2022), giving him valuable experience for any potential transatlantic raid.
"That was very cool. She is just a stone-cold runner this filly. I really wasn't sure if she was fit enough today, but I wanted to get her started in this race because she does so well at Aqueduct," Motion said after her latest success.
"I think everything is on the table at this point. I will nominate her to the Coronation at Ascot in June. But there are so many nice races for 3YO fillies as well, so we have a lot of options. The one thing I'll say is I won't be in a hurry to run her back; I thought she ran a big race today."
Newstead Stables' filly is among entries from six countries accepted across the eight Group One races planned for the Royal meeting, which will offer US$13.4 million in prize money. Each Group One contest will carry a minimum purse of US$866,000.
Another potential American raider is Grand Mo the First, who finished third in last year's Gr.1 Florida Derby and has achieved Group Three form on turf. Owned by Granpollo Stable and trained by Victor Barboza Jr, the colt could provide his Florida-based handler with a first Royal Ascot runner in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes, a mile contest for older horses.