Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

A Breeders’ Cup change in venue from Del Mar in 2021 to Keeneland this year did nothing to change the initial winning results for the team of jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby, and owner-breeder Godolphin.

After winning three Breeders’ Cup races last fall in California, that group struck early at this year’s event, taking the initial Breeder’s Cup race on Future Stars Friday when Mischief Magic rallied from last to capture the $920,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint by a length.

The victory by the Exceed And Excel colt was the first by a European-trained horse in the race, which was upgraded to top-tier graded status this year after being a Grade 2 the past three years. It was run initially in 2018 as a listed race.

Europeans took home four of the top five positions in Friday’s race—with Dramatised  second, Persian Force  fourth, and Lady Hollywood  fifth. Only American Private Creed stayed with them late, finishing third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

None ran better than Mischief Magic, who after a tardy start, rallied up the inside on the turn, angled out for room, and after finding an opening, passed four horses in the final furlong to score a decisive victory.—Byron King