Frankel, Black Caviar and a Royal Return

Question: Is Frankel the best horse in the world right now?

Aanswer: Yes.

Those who think otherwise obviously didn’t see Frankel overwhelm 10 opponents in the Group I Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot on Tuesday, in a performance so devastating that it earned the son of Galileo a 147 Timeform Rating — the highest in history.

Those who think otherwise are clearly oblivious to the fact that Frankel covered the mile distance of the Queen Anne in 1:37.85, a time that was 1.15 seconds faster than the “standard” (think par) time — on a day that produced a 0.39 median variant (about 2 lengths slower than standard).

Those who think otherwise… well, they aren’t really thinking at all.

To get an idea of just how good Frankel is, take a look at his performance in the Queen Anne, along with the performances of the two horses with the next-best Timeform Ratings in their signature victories:

Frankel (147)
2012 Queen Anne Stakes

Sea Bird (145)
1965 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

 

Brigadier Gerard (144)
1971 2000 Guineas

Black Caviar Looks to Remain Perfect

And speaking of great horses and Royal Ascot, Black Caviar, the brilliant race mare from the land down under is scheduled to compete at the UK’s premier race meeting this weekend. A perfect 21-for-21 in her career, Black Caviar would undoubtedly strengthen her reputation as the best turf sprinter in the world with a win in the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday.

Below is my Win Factor analysis of the race:

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Royal Delta Dominant in Return

Well, so much for the “Dubai Bounce.” Two weeks after Game On Dude tied his best-ever Brisnet speed figure (109) in the Grade 2 Californian following his trip Dubai for the 2012 Dubai World Cup, Royal Delta dominated five rivals in the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs after exiting the same race.

More noteworthy, the four-year-old daughter of Empire Maker toted 123 pounds and completed Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile journey in 1:49.49 — a full 1.02 seconds faster than it took Ron the Greek, carrying 119 pounds, to capture the Grade I Stephen Foster (also run at Churchill Downs) 35 minutes later.

Royal Delta earned a solid -4 late speed ration (LSR) for her efforts, while Ron the Greek earned a very mediocre -12 LSR.

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Weekend Win Factor Plays

Thursday (6/21/12)

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Friday (6/22/12)

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Saturday (6/23/12)

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