Royal Ascot Enters the Final Stretch with a Stellar Friday and Highly Anticipated Clashes

Shadow of Light, Falakeyah, Zarigana, and Babouche headline a day packed with top-class action and promise high drama in every stakes contest

Shadow of Light returns to sprinting after finishing third in the Guineas / NEWMARKET

BERKSHIRE, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Friday’s action at Royal Ascot promises another spectacular card, headlined by a pair of Group 1 contests: the Coronation Stakes (1m), restricted to 3-year-old fillies, and the Commonwealth Cup (6f), open to 3-year-olds and older horses—with the exception of geldings. The undercard is strong as well, featuring the G2 King Edward VII Stakes(1½m) for 3-year-olds and the G3 Albany Stakes (6f) for 2-year-old fillies.

The Commonwealth Cup will open the top-level double and has attracted a full field of 22, with Shadow of Lightpoised to make a major impact. Representing Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and William Buick, the son of Lope de Vega returns to sprinting after a highly creditable third in the G1 2000 Guineas, finishing behind stablemate Ruling Court (Justify) and Field of Gold (Kingman). A dual Group 1 winner at two, having captured both the Middle Park and Dewhurst, Shadow of Light looks to deliver another standout performance in Royal blue.

Juddmonte Farms fields a formidable duo in Babouche (Kodiac), a filly taking on the colts, and Jonquil (Lope de Vega), both proven at this level. Meanwhile, Coolmore counters with the ultra-consistent Whistlejacket (No Nay Never) and progressive Ides of March (Wootton Bassett).

In the Coronation Stakes, Shadwell’s unbeaten Falakeyah (New Bay) looks to extend her perfect record. Trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley, she was last seen dominating the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, defeating Life Is Beautiful (Night of Thunder) by 3 1/4 lengths.

From France, Zarigana (Siyouni) brings top-level form after being awarded the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on appeal. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and racing in the colors of the Aga Khan, she adds international flair to the lineup.

Kon Tiki (Night of Thunder) also arrives undefeated and earned her place with a sharp win in the Listed Fillies’ Stakes at York. For Coolmore, the main hope appears to be January (Kingman), runner-up to Desert Flower (Night of Thunder) in last year’s G1 Fillies’ Mile, though she disappointed on seasonal debut in the Irish 1000 Guineas.

With stars from powerhouse operations and multiple unbeaten contenders set to clash, Friday’s races are shaping up to deliver all the drama and brilliance Royal Ascot is known for.