Adam Beschizza claims scalp of Lady Aurelia as Triple Chelsea gets up late

Report: USA, Saturday

Keeneland: Giant’s Causeway Stakes (Listed)
5½f | turf | 3yo+ f/m

Adam Beschizza scaled further heights on his American adventure when the British rider lowered the colours of superstar sprinter Lady Aurelia after swooping late on Triple Chelsea (Joe Sharp) in the Giant’s Causeway Stakes.

Lady Aurelia, winner of last season's King's Stand Stakes, was sent off odds-on favourite on her first start since her shock defeat at the Breeders' Cup but was no match for the Joe Sharp-trained winner in the closing stages.

After getting a fine tune out of Triple Chelsea to claim a high-profile US triumph, Beschizza told the Blood-Horse: "The race panned out beautifully. She's definitely a filly that likes to be in a nice stalking position, and we were following the right horses into the final eighth."

Beschizza, best known in Britain for completing the autumn double in 2015 on Third Time Lucky (Cambridgeshire) and Grumeti (Cesarewitch), has prolonged his stay by relocating to Keeneland after a profitable time in New Orleans and earlier in the week rode his 50th winner of the year.

He has linked up to great effect with Sharp, who along with owner Brad Grady claimed Triple Chelsea for $62,500 at Kentucky Downs in September, since when the filly had won a pair of Listed stakes races before Saturday.

Despite the defeat, Wesley Ward was satisfied with Lady Aurelia's performance.

"She ran a good race, and any time you're coming off a layoff, you're always a little vulnerable," the trainer told the Blood-Horse. "I take nothing away from the winner. She beat us on the square. Lady Aurelia hadn't had a race and now she has, so she should be ready."

Lady Aurelia remains 4-1 joint-favourite with Battaash to successfully defend her King's Stand crown at Royal Ascot.

Also on Saturday

Keeneland: Lexington Stakes (Grade 3) 1m½f | dirt | 3yo

My Boy Jack (Keith Desormeaux/Kent Desormeaux) secured a spot in next month's Kentucky Derby after registering a narrow victory in this $200,000 contest.

Needing a top-two finish to gain enough qualifying points for the run for the roses, My Boy Jack came with a late rattle to catch Telekinesis by a head on the line.

Keeneland: Jenny Wiley Stakes (Grade 1) 1m½f |turf | 4yo+ f/m

Sistercharlie (Chad Brown/John Velazquez), who had her 2017 season cut short by a severe lung infection, returned to action in rude health to score a rewarding victory for connections.

The former Ralph Beckett-trained Bletchley, now with Tepin's trainer Mark Casse, was never a factor on her second start since moving to the US.

Keeneland results

If you are interested in this, you should read:

Adam Beschizza to prolong US adventure after making spectacular start

Beschizza living an American dream as he makes the top five at Fair Grounds

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com