Guinevere Race Recap

Guinevere checked in 10th in yesterday’s fifth race at Churchill Downs. Click here for the chart.

She broke well under Gerardo Corrales (who replaced Abel Cedillo), but found herself in some traffic trouble early in the race. Before passing the wire for the first time, Guinevere checked fairly significantly and while she never was likely going to be forwardly placed, she did break sharply in this event and could have been placed a bit more tactically. She then angled off the rail and was three wide down the backstretch while in eighth position.

Unfortunately, she was not able to quicken on the cut back to a flat mile and was very even throughout the stretch. A Beyer Speed Figure has not been released at this time (see above). We’ll be in touch with trainer Wesley Ward, but at this stage, we either need to get her back in an elongated race (9+ furlongs) or look for options at a lesser circuit (Horseshoe Indianapolis, Belterra, etc.).

Guinevere Workout Report

Guinevere had her first work back on Friday following her debut, covering five furlongs in 1:01 flat over Keeneland’s main track. Your daughter of Justify breezed on the inside of Bundchen, a fellow maiden 3-year-old filly, and always had the upper hand in this work. The Ward Team has remained pleased with your filly since her debut.

We are still targeting the aforementioned maiden special weight on opening day at Keeneland (April 5th) which will give her three additional works leading up to the race.

Guinevere Workout Report

Guinevere was back on the work tab this morning, breezing a half-mile from the gate in :47.40. Working on the inside of stablemate Same Old Fears, Guinevere was a step slow from the gate, traveling about a length or so off of her work mate into the turn. Same Old Fears having race experience and a more in depth work tab, was a bit fitter than your daughter of Justify. Guinevere was second best in the stretch but re-engaged past the wire to finish head-to-head.

Guinevere Update

Guinevere was scheduled to breeze this morning at Keeneland but the work had to be postponed as the track froze overnight. Your filly continues to do well and will breeze back once the track is suitable.

Guinevere Update

Our team checked in on Guinevere this morning at Gainesway. She looks great while remaining on turnout and has let down nicely. She is due to be re-checked in the near future and we will follow up once that has taken place.

 

Guinevere Update

Guinevere is doing well while on turnout at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky. Enjoy the video above of your filly enjoying her time in her large paddock and being full of energy. She currently spends her nights outside and days inside, except for this video.

After arriving at Gainesway she was further evaluated and diagnosed with some minor thickening in her high suspensory ligament of her left forelimb. Again, this is fairly minor and shouldn’t require much more time than we were already planning on giving her. Guinevere will be re-checked at the end of August and put together future plans from there. This time off will allow her muscles and bones to solidify and mature, being a strong filly in the development phase.

Guinevere Update

Trainer Wesley Ward reached out to our team over the weekend regarding Guinevere. She exited her recent work in good physical order and her shin remains no issue. Wesley still believes she is not working quite as impressive as when she first entered the barn. As a precaution, Wesley’s veterinarian went over her from top to bottom but there was nothing jumping out at them. She jogs sounds and looks well in the flesh which can be seen above.

While there is nothing blatantly obvious, we have still come to a consensus to turn her out for 60 days at Gainesway for some R&R. She has been a filly that has gone through some serious physical changes (growth spurts) over the last two months and has developed into a completely different horse than the one that shipped into Wesley’s barn in February. When she first shipped into the Ward barn in South Florida, she appeared to be one that could be ready for the spring/summer 2-year-old options. At this stage, she is telling us otherwise and will require time in order to see the horse we believe she can be on the racetrack.

It can of course be frustrating turning out a horse that has come so far along in their training, but we must remember this is a 2-year-old and it’s only June of her 2-year-old season. The idea behind taking the time now will hopefully save us time in the future and what is ultimately best for Guinevere.

Guinevere Workout Report

Guinevere had her first breeze on the turf on Monday morning at Saratoga in :50.34. Working in company with an unnamed 800,000 Guineas purchase (Currency used at the Tattersalls sales in England which is approximately $950,000 U.S. dollars) who is by top European stallion Night of Thunder. All things went to plan and pending everything continues well, she’ll remain working on the turf at Saratoga

Guinevere Update

We followed up with trainer Wesley Ward following Guinevere’s gate breeze yesterday morning. As you will hear Wesley mention in the video above, your filly did come back from the breeze with a touch of sensitivity in her right shin. It is nothing of major concern but as he says she is a big filly and he will let her tell him what to do. She will continue to jog for a few days and not rush her, once he feels she is ready she will breeze again. This is all in the best interest of the horse and we strongly believe the patience will be worth it for this quality filly.