Golden pal takes impressive step toward royal ascot return

The morning after Golden Pal’s dominating performance to win the $350,000 Shakertown (G2) in his 2022 debut, trainer Wesley Ward reported on the status of the 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo: 

“Ready to go to England.” 

Golden Pal, who resides in a renovated tobacco barn on Ward’s farm next to Keeneland, is to make his next start in the June 14 King’s Stand (G1) on the first day of the prestigious Royal Ascot meet. He first raced at Royal Ascot two years ago, finishing second by a neck to Shakertown foe The Lir Jet (IRE) in the Norfolk (G2).

“We’ll probably give him three weeks of just galloping and jogging and resume his work schedule,” Ward said about Golden Pal’s preparations.

The Shakertown marked Golden Pal’s first start since November, when he won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar for the second Breeders’ Cup win of his career. The 3-5 favorite in the race, he and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. rocketed to the lead leaving the starting gate and coasted to a 4¾-length victory. 

Ward said he “was ready for that, to be quite honest.”

“In the works I’ve seen this year with him, he’s shown more strength – just like a kid who’s going from a college athlete to the pros,” he continued. “He’s gotten stronger. He’s grown. He’s really muscled out. I was expecting a big effort like we saw.”

Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, Golden Pal has six wins – all stakes – in nine starts and has earned $1,473,431. 

The Keeneland sales graduate, who was bred in Florida by Randall E. Lowe, has three stakes wins here: 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), 2021 Woodford (G2) Presented by TVG and Shakertown.