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Stradivarius Takes Third Gold Cup at Ascot

Author: Don Mckee
Published: Friday June 19, 2020
Stradivarius took his third Gold Cup (G1) in an impressive manner on Thursday at Royal Ascot. He crushed his rivals and crossed the wire alone, raising his status as one of the best stayers.

Over Long Before the Finish

Jockey Frankie Dettori was aboard Stradivarius for the win. He was already celebrating with half a furlong to go. 

At the line, Stradivarius was about 10 lengths in front of the field, which followed with Nayef Road and Cross Counter a further three lengths back.

Stradivarius is now in limited company with his Gold Cup victory. The only other two horses to win the event more than twice are Yeats and Sagaro, proving the difficulty of the accomplishment. 

"It's an amazing achievement," said Dettori. "The rain this morning was against him, but he did it well. I'm very proud of the horse, and he took off in the straight. I've ridden some great horses, and he's one of the great stayers."

Stradivarius is now easily one of the greatest stayers of his generation, and a lot is owed to trainer John Gosden. While the horse's skills would have likely resulted in another Gold Cup victory, Gosden set him up for success with a prep at Newmarket 13 days ago.

Stradivarius' Past

The horse has shown some laziness and difficulty in the past, especially in the 1 1/2-mile Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup (G1). The 6-year-old son of Sea the Stars - Private Life, by Bering, finished behind Ghaiyyath and Anthony Van Dyck.

Stradivarius traveled better than normal at the Gold Cup and could go on to prove his skill even further at a mile-and-a-half in Europe's richest race. Gosden has said that there could be a face-off between him and Enable as she goes for her third Arc win. 

"His favorite ground is good to firm, but he has the heart and class to win on any ground," Gosden said. "I'll have nothing against it if Bjorn Nielsen wants to run him in the Arc."

Tiz the Law at Belmont

In other big news, Tiz the Law drew post 8 for Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). It wasn't the most ideal draw, but trainer Barclay Tagg said it was good enough.

The 6-5 morning-line favorite will break toward the outside of the field of 10 3-year-olds for the event.

"It will keep him out of trouble," Tagg said June 17 about post 8. "So far, so good. We're pleased with the way he's doing. We're ready for the race. They just have to run it."

The race will be shortened to a one-turn 1 1/8-mile event.

As top candidates like Nadal, Charlatan, and Maxfield were taken out of the conversation over the past few weeks due to injury, Tiz the Law has been steadily increasing his level. 

On March 28, he took a 4 1/4-length victory in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1).

He also took the Champagne Stakes (G1) at a one-turn mile at Belmont Park last fall, which was his fourth win in five starts and second grade 1 win. 

"He likes this track, and he's done everything we've asked him to," Tagg said. 

Tiz the Law is a son of Constitution out of the Tiznow mare Tizfiz in New York by Twin Creeks Farm. He will try to become the fourth New York-bred to win the Belmont Stakes and the first since Forester in 1882. 

Tiz the Law will be joined by regular rider Manny Franco and be the heavy favorite.