Can Sergei Prokofiev keep his composure in Juvenile Turf Sprint?

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Listed) | 5f 100y | turf | 2yos | ATR

Speed is Sergei Prokofiev's main attribute, as he demonstrated when flying from last to first at Newmarket last time out in the Cornwallis Stakes.

Connections had tried to stretch out the son of Scat Daddy to six furlongs, but those experiments in the Phoenix Stakes and Middle Park did not work after an initially encouraging third to Calyx in the Coventry.

The intermediate trip of five and a half furlongs on Friday might be at the limit of Sergei Prokofiev's stamina reserves, but, like some of his rivals, the slow ground could be a bigger issue.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "He's very fast. Five and a half furlongs is plenty for for him – he doesn't get six – and better ground would suit.

So Perfect: has already beaten Group 1 winner Skitter Scatter so far this seasonCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

"Donnacha [O'Brien] dropped him out over a lightning fast five and Newmarket and he showed what he could do."

O'Brien is also represented by So Perfect, conqueror of subsequent Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Skitter Scatter at the Curragh in July.

"She's a very fast, progressive filly," O'Brien added. "She doesn't have a bad draw and will get the five and a half furlongs. I couldn't be happier with her – she's in a good place."

Can Fox deliver a fitting success?

Well Done Fox would be an extremely poignant winner, as he carries the colours of the late Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in a helicopter crash outside the King Power stadium on Saturday night.

The Richard Hannon-trained juvenile will be the first runner for the executors of Srivaddhanaprabha since the accident.

Leicester City chairman and leading owner dies in helicopter crash

Well Done Fox's form ties in closely with some of the other European runners who are ahead of him in the betting, as he has finished runner-up to Soldier's Call and Sergei Prokofiev on his last two starts.

However, the rain that has hit Churchill Downs may not aid Well Done Fox's chances of reversing either the Flying Childers or Cornwallis form, as Hannon said: "I'm not sure the soft ground will help. He's got a good draw so we'll have a go."

Can Soldier's Call build on fine Abbaye turn?

Last year Corinthia Knight finished fourth in this race for Archie Watson when it was part of the undercard at Del Mar, and this time the trainer relies on Soldier's Call, who ran a stormer to be third against his elders in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp last time.

The colt has gone from strength to strength this season, winning four of his seven starts, including the Windsor Castle, which was a first Royal Ascot winner for the trainer.

Soldier's Call: has been a fine servant for Archie Watson this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Watson said: "He's in very good form and I've been happy with how he's trained this week. We'll see how we gets on."

Queen Of Bermuda finished behind Soldier's Call in a Group 3 at Chantilly earlier in the season, and the William Haggas-trained runner does handle cut in the ground, having won the Firth of Clyde at Ayr on heavy.

Haggas said: "She'll go on the ground, if it is that soft, and she's taken it all well, although she has a bit to find from the draw."

Will one of Ward's four contenders triumph?

The presence of Wesley Ward horses at Royal Ascot has become one of the features of the meeting, and back on home turf the trainer is running some familiar faces.

Heading his team of four in the betting is Norfolk Stakes winner Shang Shang Shang, but the filly has not been seen since that victory.

Watch: Shang Shang Shang win the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot

"We had a few minor foot issues that held us back from our starts after Shang Shang Shang's win at Royal Ascot in June," Ward said. "She's trained really well since but unfortunately we couldn't fit in a prep. She's vulnerable on soft going."

The trainer's other runners also ran at Ascot but did not make the same impact, finishing down the field in their races.

What a finish: Shang Shang Shang (near side) beats Pocket Dynamo and Land Force in the Norfolk StakesCredit: Bryn Lennon

Assessing their chances, Ward said: "Chelsea Cloisters unfortunately didn't get away well in the Queen Mary and was stuck and intimidated behind horses. She's done everything right and the best thing about this filly is that she relishes the soft turf.

"Stillwater Cove handles the soft turf well. She has one of the fastest [speed] figures in the race when she won at Saratoga. If she repeats that, she'll be very tough.

"What happened to Moonlight Romance in England was a horse lost her shoe at the gate and she was stuck behind the gate and got really hot and excited. She then won with authority at Keeneland. She prefers firm ground but has done some decent work on soft."

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