U S Navy Flag Filly Emerges A Future Star At Keeneland

Love Reigns (2f U S Navy Flag - Humble And Proud, by Pivotal) could hardly have been more impressive when bolting up on debut at Keeneland on Friday, making it three winners from four runners by first season sire U S Navy Flag.

Wesley Ward’s charge was sent off favourite for the fillies maiden over five and a half furlongs and led from the early stages under Irad Ortiz Junior. Her rivals did their best to close turning for home, but she only extended her advantage and needed little encouragement to draw nine and three quarter lengths clear on the line.

Love Reigns earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status on Friday and such a taking performance would suggest that she could be part of the Wesley Ward team destined for Royal Ascot, where owners Stonestreet Stables have enjoyed recent success.

A half-sister to Grade 1 winner Glorious Empire, Love Reigns was sourced by Ben McElroy as a yearling for €160,000 from breeder Patrick Grogan’s Killourney Mor Farm.

U S Navy Flag’s first winner was another newcomer in Ocean Vision (U S Navy Flag), who beat some well-regarded rivals in a Dundalk maiden. It didn’t take long for Kaasib (U S Navy Flag) to add to his sire’s tally, when producing a smart performance at Salisbury, having been narrowly denied on debut.