Royal Ascot Hopefuls Bound For Nowhere, Kimari Work At Keeneland 

It’s that time of year – even though this year is unlike any other – when Keeneland-based trainer Wesley Ward is planning which horses he will send to compete during the prestigious Royal Ascot meet in England, to be held June 16-20. On Saturday, two candidates expected to make return trips to Royal Ascot – Bound for Nowhere and Kimari – together worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Keeneland’s firm turf course.

Click here for a video of the work. Bound for Nowhere was ridden by Julio Garcia, and Angel Serpa was aboard Kimari.

“(Kimari) broke off in front of (Bound for Nowhere) and Julio tracked her the whole way. It was a really, really nice work,” said Ward, who has won 10 races at Royal Ascot.

Ward owns Bound for Nowhere, a 6-year-old son of The Factor who was third in the Diamond Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot in 2018 and was unplaced in the race last year. Bound for Nowhere has made one start this year, finishing second by a head to Cistron in the March 21 San Simeon (G3) at Santa Anita. Ward said he is considering Royal Ascot’s five-furlong King’s Stand (G1) on June 16 for Bound for Nowhere’s next start.

Kimari, a 3-year-old filly by Munnings owned by Ten Broeck Farm, is on track for the June 19 Commonwealth Cup (G1) at six furlongs for her second trip to Royal Ascot.  

After winning her career debut at Keeneland by 15 lengths in April 2019, Kimari was a close second in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot. She later took the Bolton Landing (L) at Saratoga and Indian Summer at Keeneland and was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.

Kimari made her 2020 debut in the April 4 Purple Martin (L) at Oaklawn on a sloppy, sealed track.

Ward said Bound for Nowhere and Kimari are to work again next Saturday at Keeneland and would leave Indianapolis on a flight to Royal Ascot the first week of June. He said neither he nor his staff will travel to England.