Can Enable be defeated in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes?
Magical (purple cap) battles with Enable (pink cap) in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) - © Casey Phillips/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM /Breeders Cup
July 5th, 2019
When the two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Enable makes her much-anticipated 2019 debut in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park Racecourse in England, she might not be a shoo-in to prevail.
Racing for the powerful team of trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori, #6 Enable will be favored to defeat seven rivals in Saturday’s 1 1/4-mile test, and if she brings her "A" game, her rivals will be running for second place. In addition to her signature wins in the Arc, Enable counts victories in the 2017 Epsom Oaks (G1), 2017 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) among her seven triumphs at the grade/group 1 level.But the Coral-Eclipse was not the original plan for Enable’s seasonal debut (she was scheduled to run at but wasn’t ready in time), so it’s possible she could be a little rusty off the layoff. Enable will also cut back in distance off a series of eight consecutive 1 1/2-mile races dating back to June of 2017. She hasn’t negotiated 1 1/4 miles since she finished third in a minor race at Newbury in April of 2017, the lone defeat of her career.
The shorter distance of the Coral-Eclipse could potentially play to the strength of #7 Magical, the impressive winner of the 1 5/16-mile Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) in May. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Magical pushed Enable to her limit in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf, where she finished second by less than a length. Some of Magical’s best efforts have come running shorter, so the 1 1/4-mile trip of the Coral-Eclipse—coupled with Magical’s strong recent form—could give her the advantage she needs to turn the tables on Enable.
#3 Mustashry and #5 Zabeel Prince have both scored at the group 1 level this year, but defeats at Royal Ascot will leave them as longshots in the Coral-Eclipse wagering. The same goes for Magical’s stablemate #2 Hunting Horn, a capable group 1-placed runner, but one who figures to be used for pacesetting duties Saturday.
Bettors who wish to oppose both Enable and Magical will likely be drawn to the up-and-coming #4 Regal Ready, winner of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) over this course and distance in May, or perhaps the 3-year-old #8 Telecaster, winner of the 1 5/16-mile Dante Stakes (G2) and a competitor in the Epsom Derby (G1). Telecaster will be receiving a weight break from his older rivals while seeking to become the fourth sophomore in the last five years to claim the Coral-Eclipse.
Rounding out the field is #1 Danceteria, who will step up sharply in class after winning the 1 1/4-mile La Coupe (G3) at Longchamp in France. Post time for the Coral-Eclipse, the fourth race of the day at Sandown, is 10:35 a.m. ET.
Want to have a rooting interest in the outcome? Let's try to beat Enable in the exacta with Magical and Telecaster, just in case the layoff and the 1 1/4-mile distance trips up the heavy favorite:
$5 exacta: 7,8 with 6,7,8 ($20)
Good luck!
The shorter distance of the Coral-Eclipse could potentially play to the strength of #7 Magical, the impressive winner of the 1 5/16-mile Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) in May. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Magical pushed Enable to her limit in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf, where she finished second by less than a length. Some of Magical’s best efforts have come running shorter, so the 1 1/4-mile trip of the Coral-Eclipse—coupled with Magical’s strong recent form—could give her the advantage she needs to turn the tables on Enable.
#3 Mustashry and #5 Zabeel Prince have both scored at the group 1 level this year, but defeats at Royal Ascot will leave them as longshots in the Coral-Eclipse wagering. The same goes for Magical’s stablemate #2 Hunting Horn, a capable group 1-placed runner, but one who figures to be used for pacesetting duties Saturday.
Bettors who wish to oppose both Enable and Magical will likely be drawn to the up-and-coming #4 Regal Ready, winner of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) over this course and distance in May, or perhaps the 3-year-old #8 Telecaster, winner of the 1 5/16-mile Dante Stakes (G2) and a competitor in the Epsom Derby (G1). Telecaster will be receiving a weight break from his older rivals while seeking to become the fourth sophomore in the last five years to claim the Coral-Eclipse.
Rounding out the field is #1 Danceteria, who will step up sharply in class after winning the 1 1/4-mile La Coupe (G3) at Longchamp in France. Post time for the Coral-Eclipse, the fourth race of the day at Sandown, is 10:35 a.m. ET.
Want to have a rooting interest in the outcome? Let's try to beat Enable in the exacta with Magical and Telecaster, just in case the layoff and the 1 1/4-mile distance trips up the heavy favorite:
$5 exacta: 7,8 with 6,7,8 ($20)
Good luck!
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