Ottoman Fleet far too smart in G2 Wise Dan Stakes

Ottoman Fleet completed back-to-back Graded Stakes victories at Churchill Downs, USA, when making virtually all in the G2 Wise Dan Stakes on Saturday, 29 June.

 The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old swooped from mid-division to take the G3 Arlington Stakes over the same extended-mile trip at the start of June but disputed the early running this time on the outside of Strong Tide.

Flavien Prat sent Ottoman Fleet into a half-length lead after the first quarter-mile, with Johny's Fireball reducing the Godolphin runner’s advantage slightly as he attempted to close turning in.

Ottoman Fleet kicked on at the top of the straight and immediately established daylight over his five rivals, increasing his lead to three lengths entering the final furlong. Chasing The Crown made modest late inroads but could not get near Ottoman Fleet, who scored by a comfortable length and a half.

It was a fifth Pattern race success for Ottoman Fleet, who has also won the last two renewals of Newmarket’s G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes and the 2023 G2 Fort Marcy Stakes at Belmont Park in addition to his Churchill Downs victories.

Charlie Appleby said: “We are delighted for Ottoman Fleet and the whole team. We changed his running style tonight by making all as we felt that he has become sharper with experience of North American racing. Flavien Prat was very pleased with the horse.

“On the evidence of what he has achieved today, he probably deserves to have a crack at a race like the G1 Fourstardave at Saratoga in August. We have Master Of The Seas pencilled in for that race too, but it’s a handicap and Ottoman Fleet will receive a bit of weight. It’s a possibility.”