Longshots Soul of an Angel, Starlust win early BC races
Globe-trotting Rebel’s Romance made it back for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and won it for a second time on Saturday at Del Mar, surging to the lead on the far turn and holding off Japan-bred Rousham Park by a neck.
Rebel’s Romance Triumphs Again, Boosting Career Earnings Over $11 Million
The race was marred when 3-year-old Jayrabe collapsed beyond the finish of the 1 ½-mile race and died, AAEP on-call veterinarian Dr. Al Ruggles said, citing a possible cause as cardiac arrest. A horse ambulance was on the track and Jayrabe was attended to by track vets.
Rebel’s Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby, raced behind longshot Cabo Spirt most of the way, took charge under William Buick in the stretch then hung on against closing Rousham Park.
The Euros have always dominated the Turf and extended their run to 10 wins in the last 12 years – seven by Ireland-breds.
Rebel’s Romance covered the 1 ½ miles in 2:20.07 over a firm turf. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite, the 6-year-old son of Dubawi returned $5.80.
He’s an amazing horse,’’ Buick said. “He just seems to always find a way, which is the sign of a very, very good horse.’’
Before another trip back to America (he won the 2022 Turf at Keeneland), Rebel’s Romance races in England, Qatar, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Germany. He improved to 22-14-0-1 and boosted his earnings to $11,777,574 for Godolphin, which leads all Breeders’ Cup owners in victories and earnings.
“I was pleased with where he was in his pitch and please to see him make that move that he did,’’ Appleby said. “He just keeps going oand we had the momentum our way.”
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1): Soul of an Angel
The first BC race on Day 2 showcased longshot Soul of an Angel ($41.60) posting a thrilling last-to-first move for a half-length win over Society.
Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, the 5-year-old mare was off slowly in the 7-furlong race, lagging in ninth, 12 lengths back, as Pleasant and Society led the way through a quarter-mile in 21.94, with the half going in a brisk 44.22. Beginning her move on the turn, Soul of an Angel, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., was sixth as she swept five-wide straightening for home but took dead aim on the leaders and surged ahead in the shadow of the wire, completing the 7 furlongs in 1:21.59.
Society came back to nose out Pleasant, who in turn was a half-length in front of Scylla. Checking in fourth was 2-1 favorite Sways and Means, who was followed by One Magic Philly, Zeitlos, Vahva, and Frost at Dawn.
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1): Starlust
The second BC race on the day followed with another huge upset as England-based Starlust ($69.20) survived an inquiry and edged Motorious by a neck.
The Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds and up featured 4-5 favorite Cogburn, a winner who had six wins in hie previous even starts.
But it was 33-1 longshot Starlust, ridden by Rossa Ryan for trainer Ralph Beckett, who was back in the pack at the half-mile pole before launching a bumpy but winning run. He brushed with Isivunguvungu in late stretch, but a stewards’ inquiry let the finish stand.
Cogburn led into the stretch under Irad Ortiz., Jr., but faded to fifth in the field of 11. Ag Bullet was third and Star of Mystery fourth.
Starlust, third in the 2023 Juvenile Turf Sprint, won for the sixth time in 18 career starts.
Winning time for the 5 furlongs was 55.92 seconds.
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