By Steve Sherack
DEL MAR, CA – Mrs. Fitri Hay's Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), a longshot third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last year, added to a dream run for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan with a 33-1 upset in an eventful renewal of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
With the rail-drawn, 4-year-old filly Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) a late scratch after flipping in the gate and delaying the start by a good 10 minutes, 4-5 favorite and world-record setter Cogburn (Not This Time) wasn't off to the sharpest of beginnings, but quickly rocketed clear beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the far turn while Starlust continued to trail in 11th.
Cogburn turned for home under very confident handling and looked well on his way after zipping through fractions of :21.59 and :43.72, but began to tire inside the final furlong.
Starlust, meanwhile, made eye-catching progress along the inside in the stretch. He was steered out and appeared to bother Isivunguvungu (SAf) (What a Winter {SAf}) close to home and was across the wire first in a wild finish.
Starlust was a neck better than horse-for-course Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). It was another nose back to Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) in third. Cogburn tired to fifth.
A stewards' inquiry involving the stretch run took place, but the result was allowed to stand after a lengthy discussion.
Ryan and Beckett also teamed to win last month's the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). Starlust is Beckett's second Breeders' Cup winner. He also trained Muhannak (Ire) to a win in the discontinued Marathon in 2008. It is the first Breeders' Cup winner for Ryan.
“The reality is that when you're in it, it's very hard to enjoy it,” Beckett said of his Arc-Breeders' Cup double. “I think probably we will enjoy it at the end of the year. And we're nearly done now. We have a week's left of runners and then there's November and December and that's when I'll really (enjoy it). But, absolutely it has been a year like no other.”
Starlust made nine subsequent starts this season following his fantastic effort at last year's Championships, including a pair of wins at York and a close third-place finish in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes Aug. 23. He was ninth over soft going in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines last time Oct. 6.
“He's a really tough horse, not had a break all year,” Beckett said. “He had a tough trip in the l'Abbaye last time, but today he was very good. Rossa Ryan gets better by the month. It's his third or fourth year with us and today he was at his very best. The way he rode Bluestocking in the Arc was very different to today and I'm very proud of what he's achieved. What a day!”
He added, “It was marvelous. I'm delighted for Jim and Fitri Hay, who put a lot in and this horse has been very well-managed by Alex Cole. He's danced every dance and we got our win today.”
Pedigree Notes:
Starlust, a 55,000gns Tattersalls October yearling purchase by bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington, becomes the ninth top-level winner worldwide for Zoustar (Aus). Beyond Desire (GB) produced a full-sister to the winner in 2023. Broodmare sire Invincible Spirit is also responsible for 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).
Starlust wins the $1 Million @prevagen #BreedersCup Turf Sprint! Congrats to all connections! #BC24 pic.twitter.com/UU87OSYyVI
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 2, 2024
Saturday, Del Mar
PREVAGEN BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT-GI, $920,000, Del Mar, 11-2, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.92, fm.
1–STARLUST (GB), 124, c, 3, by Zoustar (Aus)
1st Dam: Beyond Desire (GB) (GSW-Fr, MSW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, $235,547), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Compradore (GB), by Mujtahid
3rd Dam: Keswa (Ire), by Kings Lake
1ST GRADE I WIN. (55,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Branton Court Stud LLP (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rossa Ryan. $520,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Eng, 18-6-3-3, $915,137. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Motorious (GB), 126, g, 6, Muhaarar (GB)–Squash (GB), by Pastoral Pursuits (GB). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (55,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 220,000gns 3yo '21 TATAHI). O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor (GB); T-Philip D'Amato. $170,000.
3–Ag Bullet, 123, f, 4, Twirling Candy–Noble Grey, by Forestry. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($30,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Nguyen, Calvin and Tran, Joey C.; B-H & E Ranch (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $90,000.
Margins: NK, NO, 3/4. Odds: 33.60, 12.60, 9.30.
Also Ran: Star of Mystery (GB), Cogburn, Arzak, Isivunguvungu (Saf), Big Evs (Ire), Howard Wolowitz, Big Invasion, Bradsell (GB). Scratched: Believing (Ire), Charcoal, Frost At Dawn, Nothing Better.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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