Lady’s first as Aurelia speeds home
® a greyhound and was not asked to exert herself.
Profitable, last year’s winner, followed her home with Marsha, the well-backed 11-4 favourite, in third place.
“That was awesome,” said Ward. “She’s a very special filly and she certainly loves it here.
“We look forward to a really big summer and then the Breeders’ Cup. The owners are so excited. It is wonderful for American racing. All the team have done a fantastic job with her and she really is something special.
“I feel so bad for my Frankie. I feel really happy for John so if you’re watching Frankie, you’re with us.
“She has immense talent and immense speed. Hopefully, with the experience she has now, she should get better and better.”
Ward plans to run his speedster in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August and Lady Aurelia is evens favourite with Paddy Power and Ladbrokes to take the prize.
Ward also hopes to keep her in training and return to Royal Ascot next year and have his mate Dettori on board.
Velasquez said: “It makes my job a lot easier when they do it like that. All I was worried about was her just using up too much energy in the first part of the race.
“What a feeling when you ask a horse to run and they respond like that. You feel so comfortable and know they are running as fast as they can.”
Velazquez only heard he was riding when he got off the plane from the US on Monday.
“I was in customs, the phone was ringing and ringing but I couldn’t answer it,” said Velazquez. “But as soon as I was out I picked up the phone and that’s when I found out I was riding her.
“For me this is a blessing – not to take anything away from Frankie, he’s a good friend of mine and I feel really bad for him.”