Appleby and Buick enjoy Grade 1 super Saturday in Canada as Modern Games stars

A dominant success for Modern Games in the Woodbine Mile was the highlight of a superb Saturday for Charlie Appleby in North America, which included two Grade 1 wins and provided a host of pointers for the Breeders' Cup.

Two-year-old Mysterious Night, like Modern Games ridden by William Buick, was a similarly impressive winner of the Summer Stakes, the other Grade 1 at Woodbine, in Toronto, Canada.

In the US, Frankie Dettori guided the Appleby-trained Nations Pride to an easy victory in the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at Aqueduct.

Modern Games came from behind and kicked five and a quarter lengths clear of Ivar to enjoy a third win at the top level.

Buick, who was on board when Modern Games finished second to Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes in July, quoted by Bloodhorse, said: "He's got bigger, he's filled out and is a very strong horse. He was last year, but he's got bigger and stronger now. He retains all the ability in the world.

"He's a real fast horse. As you saw there, when he changes gears, he's got a lot of speed.

"He was very comfortable throughout. He travelled nice, and the pace was good. I just had to figure out a route, really. But I had plenty of horse, and he was brave when he had to be."

The win built on victory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and last year's controversial success in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, when he was pulled out of the race by officials after coming out of the front of the stalls but reinstated on vets' advice, though permitted to run only for prize-money and not betting purposes.

A return to America's signature meeting could be his next target as he now qualifies for free entry to the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland on November 5, for which he was cut to 7-4 (from 3-1) with bet365.

Mysterious Night made a huge impression with his comfortable Summer Stakes success, which was a major step forward from his two placed efforts at Group level in Britain. He surged clear to win by five and three-quarter lengths and earn a 'win and you're in' slot for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Buick said: "We knew the horse was going to like the fast ground. He travelled through the race beautifully. He was giving me plenty of confidence throughout the race, and he was happy traveling away, so it was perfect for him and hopefully he can go on from here."

Appleby warmed up Yibir for his memorable Breeders' Cup Turf win with success in the 2021 Jockey Club Derby, and this year's short-priced favourite Nations Pride was an eased-down six-and-a-quarter-length winner at Aqueduct under Dettori.

The Derby eighth bettered a second at Belmont to land the Saratoga Derby last month and this victory takes the Teofilo colt's career earnings to more than seven figures.

Assistant trainer Chris Connett said: "He's got that turn of foot. Since his first run here, he's really grown and filled out that frame of his. He's done fantastic since he's been here. It's nice to see.

"Frankie gave him an absolute peach of a ride. He travelled around and picked up just how you would like. It was fairly straightforward for a race like this."

Nations Pride is around a 7-1 shot with British and Irish bookmakers for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

The successes in Canada and the US contributed to 14 worldwide winners on Saturday for Godolphin, who also celebrated victories in Japan, Britain and Australia.

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