Appleby praises 'fantastic' Buick ride as Mischief Magic strikes for Godolphin

Friday: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Keeneland

It was first strike to Europe at the Breeders' Cup as Mischief Magic mowed down Dramatised late to win the Juvenile Turf Sprint for Charlie Appleby.

There was plenty of early pace in the opener, and just as Dramatised looked to have made a winning move in the straight under Ryan Moore, William Buick and 69-10 shot Mischief Magic appeared late to lead in the final strides.

"I knew they were going to go hard and William rode him with so much confidence,” said Appleby, who saddled his seventh winner from 12 Breeders' Cup runners. “He got him off his lead off the back turn, he got pushed back, but I don't think it did any harm. It was a fantastic ride by William and a great effort by the team."

It was a fourth straight Breeders’ Cup success for Appleby and Buick, who were successful with Modern Games, Space Blues and Yibir last year.

"I expected him to be outpaced early, he's a comfortable closer at six furlongs at home so I knew the speed would catch him out early but I knew he'd finish off good,” said Buick.

“He felt super and he really enjoyed coming off the turn. He ran very well in the Middle Park and this is only his sixth race so he's still learning and he enjoys this ground and coming off a turn. Everything's come together for him."

Charlie Appleby with his fourth straight Breeders' Cup winner Mischief MagicCredit: Edward Whitaker

Wesley Ward was seeking a fourth straight win in the race but Love Reigns was unable to go the early gallop and was never a factor after losing her position coming out of the back straight.

Persian Force came in for support prior to the race and ran with credit to finish fourth, while The Platinum Queen never landed a blow. Lady Hollywood, the first Breeders' Cup runner for Alice Haynes, finished fifth.

"I couldn't make the running, so I took a lead and I was pleased enough with the position," said Hollie Doyle of The Platinum Queen.

"She didn't handle the bend great and one came round me between the four and the three and she didn't enjoy that – she got a bit claustrophobic.

"To be honest, I was cooked at the two pole, she was a bit more irate today than normal. The occasion might have just got to her but she's had a long year and she had a very hard race last time in the Abbaye. It was a risk worth taking but it didn't pay off."

Reflecting on Persian Force's run, Frankie Dettori said: "He ran a good race, I didn't really finish though, I should have waited a bit.

"I saw Hollie's horse wasn't turning that well, so I opted to go round. Then, once I switched him, we had to keep going but in the last 100 yards he paid the price."

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