FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF

Modern Games, a controversial winner of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, cemented his place in Breeders’ Cup lore by winning this year’s $2 million, Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF Nov. 5 at Keeneland, becoming the first horse to complete the Juvenile Turf-Mile double.

“He’s beginning to get some fanfare around the world but it’s great to see him get the recognition today that he didn’t get 12 months ago from no fault of his own,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “I’d love to bring him back here again and let the American crowd enjoy him.”

The last time Modern Games was led into the Breeders’ Cup winner’s circle, there was a less than enthusiastic ovation that greeted the colt from the Del Mar crowd when an erroneous scratch meant that he competed for purse money only. American bettors were hopeful this time around, however, that the colt would reward them back after last year’ mishap and he was bet down as the 1.38-1 favorite by post time.

After settling off the pace in between horses through the backstretch in the Mile, Modern Games angled out seven-wide entering the lane under William Buick and rallied strongly to score by a three-quarters of a length over 55.67-1 longshot Shirl’s Speight. He covered one mile in 1:33.96.

“From where I was, the opportunity sort of presented itself at the time and I didn’t need to do anything too brave,” Buick said. “It was just all about getting him into clear saving and giving him every chance to run.”

Modern Games, a Godolphin homebred Dubawi colt, improved his career record to seven wins, three seconds, and one third from 13 starts with $3,176,716.–Molly Rollins