Green Mask Earns BC Turf Sprint Berth with Highlander Score

July 2nd, 2017 by Erin Shea

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Green Mask won the Highlander Stakes at Woodbine under Javier Castellano, earning a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. (Michael Burns/WEG Photo)

After finishing a close second in 2016, Green Mask was not to be denied in the Highlander Stakes this year, as he powered down the Woodbine stretch to victory in the Grade 2, $250,500 stakes on July 2, securing a berth in November’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Abdullah Saeed Almaddah's Mizzen Mast gelding was guided to his second graded stakes win by jockey Javier Castellano, defeating Calgary Cat by two lengths as the 3-5 race favorite. He finished six furlongs in 1:07.59 over firm turf.

For the first time this year, the Highlander is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race, giving the winner an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 4 at Del Mar. Green Mask was fifth in last year's edition of the Turf Sprint and third in 2015.

Commute took the lead out of the gate and lead the field through the first half-mile, as Green Mask traveled unhurried in fifth along the rail.

Out of the turn, as Commute held a half-length advantage, Castellano angled Green Mask off the rail and looked for running room in the stretch. Finding a path between tiring Don Camillo and Noholdingback Bear, Green Mask was turned loose and easily chased down Commute in the final furlong under a hand ride. Calgary Cat, closing from last in the field of seven, was flying on the outside but was no match for the winner. Pacesetter Commute held third, and Commend finished fourth.

Kentucky-bred Green Mask has finished first or second in his last six starts for trainer Brad Cox, going back to the Bonapaw Stakes in December at Fair Grounds. In that time period, the 7-year-old won the five-furlong Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes at Churchill Downs by two lengths and was narrowly denied in both the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes and the Grade 3 Jaipur Invitational Stakes. He now boasts a record of 7-8-3 from 26 starts, with earnings of $914,761.