Watch Me Finds Glory in Coronation

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Alexander Tamagni’s Watch Me struck the front with ease, then drew off convincingly to find glory in the Coronation Stakes (G1) on Day 4 of the Royal Ascot meet.

Bursting quickly from the gates under Pierre-Charles Boudot at 30/1 stateside odds, Watch Me settled just behind early leaders Pretty Pollyanna and Hermosa while Main Edition kept Watch Me from running along the rail.

Still running comfortably as she hit the top of the stretch, Watch Me gradually sidled out to run three-wide and soon found herself surpassing the front-runners. Put to a drive with 1 furlong remaining, the Francis-Henri Gaffard trainee crossed with a 1 1/2-length advantage in a final time of 1:41.53 for the mile-long event.

“Today’s race went perfectly for Watch Me,” Boudot said after winning his first career Group 1 event at the Royal Ascot meet. “I broke well and she settled nicely. I was behind Hermosa traveling very well, very easy, and then she gave me a really nice turn of foot. Watch Me did it very easily today. She has a big heart and is very courageous – she’s a very good filly.”

Hermosa held on for second by 1 length over Jubiloso. The rest of the field crossed thusly: Twist ‘N’ Shake, Castle Lady, Happen, Pretty Pollyanna, Just Wonderful, and Main Edition.

Watch Me’s win was her second of the year, having debuted successfully in the Prix Imprudence (G3) at Maisons-Laffitte on April 10. The 3-year-old daughter of Olympic Glory now sports a record of 5-3-0-1.

“I trusted in my filly, and she has worked well, which gave me confidence,” Graffard said. “It’s a fantastic result. She traveled very nicely, and while I have to watch the race again she did it very well.”

Watch Me returned $66.60 to win and $10.20 to place, Hermosa brought back $2.04 to place, and Jubiloso paid $3.40 to place.