Next week's Royal meeting at Ascot will "draw the most extensive cast-list of racehorses from around the world in the event’s 208-year history," with 20 contenders from outside Europe expected to go to post at the course over the five days of racing, which begin on Tuesday, according to Greg Wood of the London GUARDIAN. The scale of the non-European challenge next week is a "sign of Royal Ascot’s enduring prestige in world racing," with last year’s Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome among the high-profile runners arriving to take part. Japanese horses Able Friend and Spielberg are also "due to line up for Grade One events." The "accents told the story" as the connections of several major int'l contenders "talked through their chances at an official media event." None was more "distinctive than the midwest twang" of California Chrome Part-Owner Steve Coburn, who will be "forced to give up the Stetson that has become his trademark." Coburn: "It's kind of like the Kentucky Derby back in the States, there's a lot of hats and a lot of glamour. ... My wife says it’s just for one day so get over it and go with the program, so I’m going with the program. I’ve got fitted for my top hat and tails yesterday, and shoes. I haven’t worn shoes since I came out of the army, I’ve been in boots all my life" (GUARDIAN, 6/11).
