Ward eyes July Cup with Undrafted

Tuesday 10 June 2014, 12:12pm

American sprinter Undrafted is being prepared for a tilt at the July Cup at Newmarket.

Trainer Wesley Ward, who has enjoyed success at Royal Ascot in recent years, saw his charge run out the winner of a Grade Three race at Belmont Park in New York on Saturday and is targeting a trip to the July Course.

Undrafted is owned by star NFL footballer Wes Welker and is so-named because Welker, who plays for the Denver Broncos, was initially not selected in the pre-season draft despite a superb career in college football.

"Undrafted is really coming into his own now (as a four-year-old) and I couldn't wish for a better horse to bring over," Ward said.

"He is much better than Cannonball (second in 2009 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot).

"It's going to be a big adventure and we know that we are taking on a big task across the pond but Undrafted is an extremely sound horse with no physical issues and everything looks golden for us to go over with a big chance of winning.

"We plan to ship him over to England as close to the race as possible and it is such a peaceful and tranquil place I am sure that it will suit him."

Ward became the first United States trainer to win at Royal Ascot in 2009. Strike The Tiger won the Windsor Castle Stakes and his fellow two-year-old stablemate, Jealous Again, won the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes.

– PAA

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