Phoenix Stakes next up for Buratino Coventry Stakes winner Buratino will try to further enhance his reputation in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on August 9th. Trainer Mark Johnston reports the son of Exceed And Excel on course for the Curragh feature. "Buratino's next run will be in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, all being well," said the Middleham handler. "Everything's gone absolutely according to plan - he's spot-on, just ticking over. "The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes was always going to be the next run, nothing before that." Johnston has another entry in Sixth Sense, winner of the Listed Winkfield Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Aidan O'Brien has won the race an amazing 13 times and he is planning a three-pronged attack, including Washington DC, who saw off 26 rivals to win the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Air Force Blue, who finished runner-up to Buratino in the Coventry, could reoppose, while Railway Stakes victor Painted Cliffs is also in the picture. "At the moment, Air Force Blue, Painted Cliffs and Washington DC are in our calculations for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh next month," said the Ballydoyle handler. "The three of them have plenty of solid form there and seem to have come out of their last races well. "Painted Cliffs won the Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Derby weekend, Washington DC won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and the step up to six furlongs should be no problem for him. "At the moment they are the three being aimed at the race and we'll take another look closer to the time."
