Dank targeting America after Royal Ascot

According to the Sir Michael Stoute camp, 2013 champion turf mare Dank is in

great condition and is headed toward what will be her toughest career test thus

far. The daughter of Dansili, who captured the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

and Beverly D. last season, is slated to make her second career attempt against

males in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18.

In her only race since her title-binding victory in the Breeders' Cup at

Santa Anita, the five-year-old mare turned in a solid and traffic-riddled third

to Just a Way in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in late March. Since, she has

returned to England and trained forwardly. Her connections are hoping for

"faster ground" (firm turf), Dank's preferred footing and the integral incentive

for venturing Stateside twice last year.

"It's a really (tough) race. She's 14-1. Fingers crossed we have (hot

weather) beforehand," said groom and assistant Elaine Westgate.

The Prince of Wales's is traditionally one of the toughest 10-furlong grass

tests on the globe and has been won in the past by the likes of top-ranked world

champions Dubai Millennium, Manduro and So You Think, as well as Breeders' Cup

winners Fantastic Light and Ouija Board. This year's edition could include Prix

de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Treve, Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician, Derby

winner Ruler of the World, Irish Derby winner Trading Leather and two-time

Breeders' Cup runner-up The Fugue.

Interestingly, if Dank, The Fugue and Treve all start, the race will arguably

include three of the top four female horses in the world (the fourth being

Japan's Gentildonna). The saltiness of this prospective field is displayed in

Dank's antepost odds, which vary from 12-1 to 20-1 in most markets.

The two main objectives for the Stoute-trained filly are to compete once

again in the Beverly D., scheduled for August 16, and subsequently defend her

title in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on November 1.

In 2013, Dank was a close third in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal

Ascot and victorious in the Kilboy Estate Stakes at The Curragh in Ireland

before shipping over to win the Beverly D. by 4 1/4 lengths.

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