Abashiri, Kensington Lane Imposing in Belmont Oaks

The Belmont Oaks (G1T), won four times by European-trained fillies in its last eight renewals, sees two invaders from across the Atlantic Ocean when the $600,000 race is contested July 4 at Saratoga Race Course. Abashiri (GB) and Kensington Lane (IRE), third and fifth, respectively, in the May 24 Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) at the Curragh, lead the field of 10 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. They battle American graded stakes winners Just Aloof, Imaginationthelady, Fitz Right, Faithful Departed, and Storm's Wake. All of the competitors are in search of their first grade 1 victory. Godolphin's Abashiri has not yet won a stakes race, but appears the likely favorite, owing to her strong showing in the Irish One Thousand Guineas, when she was beaten only 3 lengths by victorious Precise (IRE) and a half-length for second by favored True Love (IRE). That race represented just the third start for Abashiri, who led narrowly in the mile race before fading late. She stretches out an additional furlong Saturday, but none of her opponents appear of the same high standard as Precise and True Love, both group 1 winners for trainer Aidan O'Brien and their Coolmore-affiliated owners. The success of British trainer Charlie Appleby with Godolphin-owned turf horses in America will also contribute to wagering support for Abashiri. Appleby has proven adept at identifying which of his horses are well suited to American racing and the firmer ground these horses typically catch. Abashiri broke her maiden on debut at Kempton Park last November over 1 mile on synthetic before returning this year with a fifth in the May 3 One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse. That race preceded her last-out third-place finish. "She's doing well and her last work went well before shipping," Appleby said. "If she shows up with the best of her European and Irish Guineas form, I think she'll be a big player, as long as she travels well and settles in there well enough. Her Irish Guineas form has been franked with the 1-2 (finishers) going on to Ascot and running well. I'm looking forward to it." William Buick, Appleby's go-to rider, travels to America to ride Abashiri as well as Pacific Avenue (IRE) in the Belmont Derby (G1T), also on Saturday at Saratoga. Kensington Lane to Remain in U.S. After Oaks Medallion Racing, Agave Racing Stable, and Evan Trommer's Kensington Lane was 2 3/4 lengths behind Abashiri when fifth in the Irish One Thousand Guineas. She pressed Abashiri before they were both overhauled late. The daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) is one of the most experienced members of the field with nine career starts. Her top effort to date was a win in the 1-mile Athasi Stakes (G3) at the Curragh earlier in the year, after which her current connections bought her. Joel Rosario rides. "We were debating on running in the Pretty Polly this past weekend or coming to America and I think getting away from Thundering On, Precise, True Love, and some of those horses in Europe was pretty compelling," said Phillip Shelton, racing manager for Medallion Racing. Plans call for her to be sent to trainer Phil D'Amato in California after the Belmont Oaks with the Del Mar Oaks (G1T) as a further summer goal, followed by additional stakes opportunities later in the year. The American fillies opposing the European pair include a pair who recently scored at Churchill Downs in Kentucky: Faithful Departed, winner of the Regret Stakes (G3T), and Imaginationthelady, who captured the Edgewood Stakes (G2T).