Talk about lineage: Can’t wait to see Blenheim Palace, a fitting moniker for a colt by Galileo, from the Storm Cat mare, Meow. If the name or pedigree sounds familiar, they should.
It’s a name befitting of his relations, as he shares the exact same parentage as the brilliant Churchill, winner of four Group 1s and Europe’s champion 2 year old three years ago.
Blenhein Palace is, of course, the birthplace and home of Sir Winston Churchill, who was at least as famous as Europe’s juvenile champion of 2016.
While we have not seen him race–Equibase should arrange to have video provided for all Group races run in England, Ireland, France and Germany–we know he is versatile.
Course condition is the most important dynamic in European grass racing. This colt broke his maiden on soft ground and subsequently finished second on yielding ground in for a Group 3.
Last week, he shipped a third time and reportedly was a strong second over a good course. Come this weekend, O’Brien is repeating a pattern that won last year’s Belmont Oaks.
The filly Athena was Group 1 tested before she shipped into Elmont. But what’s left for Blenheim Palace have to prove: three runs; three disparate race courses, and three top efforts, all going 10 furlongs.
Can’t wait for the past performances. The Belmont Derby, and all Saturday’s turf stakes, will be drawn on Wednesday.
