Monday 3 August 2015 16:15, UK
Wesley Ward reports Acapulco to be in "awesome" form ahead of her tilt at the Coolmore Nunthorpe at York later this month.
The American trainer has become well-known in Britain for his raids on Royal Ascot in recent years and Acapulco provided him with another winner in Berkshire with a dominant display in the Queen Mary Stakes.
The imposing daughter of Scat Daddy is now set to take on her elders for the first time in one of the most prestigious sprint races in Europe, with Ward relishing the prospect of making his first visit to the Knavesmire.
He said: "She's heading to York and we're all pretty excited about it.
"She did a really awesome breeze on the grass last week and she'll do the same here in Keeneland again this week.
"She has an entry in the Lowther Stakes as well, but she won't run. The Nunthorpe is definitely the target and everything is on schedule.
"She can get a direct flight from Alabama to Stansted and then take the drive up to York. Everything looks good, so it's up to the horse now."
With her age and sex allowances, Acapulco is set to carry just 7st 12lb in the Nunthorpe and Ward is hoping to secure the services of leading American jockey John Velazquez for the ride.
"We're working on getting Johnny," he said.
Acapulco will be joined on the trip across the Atlantic by another exciting juvenile in Finnegan.
The Coolmore-owned colt was due to line up in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but suffered an eleventh hour setback.
"He got a colic on the day of the race in Ascot, which was disappointing," said Ward.
"He's coming back now, though, and hopefully he'll be ready to go to York as well for the Gimcrack.
"He has not quite done what the filly has yet, but he's a really nice colt."
