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| Staff Writer |
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Lennilu heads to Royal Ascot with an unblemished record after impressing trainer Patrick Biancone in her two career outings. The 2YO filly earned her ticket to the prestigious meeting with a commanding display in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
"I think we have the right horse to do that," Biancone said, expressing confidence in his charge's Royal Ascot prospects. The daughter of first-crop sire Leinster will contest the Gr.2 Queen Mary Stakes on June 18, having demonstrated her versatility by winning on both dirt and turf.
Lennilu opened her account with a length victory in a maiden special weight contest at Keeneland before stepping up markedly when taking the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies by three and three-quarter lengths. The performance showcased her tactical speed as she tracked the early pace before asserting emphatically.
Preparations are proceeding smoothly for the transatlantic challenge, with Lennilu maintaining her condition at Palm Meadows Training Center. She worked a half mile in 49.65 seconds as part of her build-up to the five-furlong turf contest.
"She's doing good. Everything is going perfectly. She will be leaving the 10th for Newmarket and will run June 18 at Ascot," Biancone confirmed.
The precedent exists for American-trained success in the Queen Mary Stakes, with George Weaver's Crimson Advocate following the same path two years ago by winning the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies before triumphing at the royal meeting.
However, Squire, who finished second in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, will not accompany his stablemate across the Atlantic. "Squire, we gave him a break. He wasn't mature enough mentally to go to Ascot. He went back to the farm to relax a little bit for a month and come back in a month," Biancone explained.
Both fillies represent the first crop of Leinster, who stands for US$2,500 at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Florida.