Emily's 13 in '13 - St. James's Palace Stakes

There were a lot of great performances at Royal Ascot this year, but my favorite of them all was this cracking race between two top-notch three year-olds.  Both owned by royalty, they had already met that year in the 2000 Guineas, with the flashy chestnut getting the better of his rival.  Toronado, who had finished off the board that day in fourth, sought revenge in Royal Ascot's St. James's Palace Stakes.  This event's history read like a who's-who of English racing, won by horses like Bend Or, Tudor Minstrel, Brigadier Gerard, and Frankel. 

It would not be easy for Toronado, for he had to handle Dawn Approach yet again.  The chestnut son of New Approach had floundered in the Epsom Derby against stayers, rank almost immediately out of the gate.  Many wondered whether that race had taken too much out of him; his connections obviously had enough faith in him to send him out against a fresher Toronado.  Also in the race was Magician, who would later win the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Leading the field early in white colors were Leitir Mor and Glory Awaits.  Not far behind was Coolmore's Magician; Dawn Approach was rank again, pulling hard against his rider's hands, but not so much as he was at Epsom.  Toronado settled comfortably near the tail of the field, keeping the colts before him in his sights.

They rounded the turn and had Leitir Mor to catch.  Mshawish attacked first, but there was drama to his outside; Glory Awaits lugged out into Magician, who then bumped Dawn Approach and the fast-closing Toronado.  Magician fell back, shaken by the interference, but Dawn Approach and Toronado came on just as fast, effortlessly breezing past the new leader Mshawish. 

Now the race was on!  Dawn Approach had the advantage, but Toronado was not far behind.  They locked horns late in the stretch - who would it be?  Guineas revenge loomed for Toronado; Dawn Approach could redeem his Epsom bumble with a win here.  The two colts hit the wire together, with daylight between them and the late rally by Mars.

The photo finish was won by Dawn Approach, who had successfully come back from the Derby a winner.  Toronado had put in the gamest performance of his career.  The next time the two would meet - the Sussex at Goodwood would be the backdrop for this race - Toronado would get the better of his rival at last, putting away both Dawn Approach and the highly regarded older horse Declaration of War.