Magnum Force wins the Juvenile Turf Sprint (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif.— Abdulla Al Khalifa’s Magnum Force (IRE) ($27), benefiting from a ground-saving trip under Colin Keane, overhauled longtime leader Governor Sam in deep stretch and then held off Arizona Blaze (GB) by a half-length to win the seventh running of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) and kick off Future Stars Friday at the World Championships at Del Mar.
Trained by Ger Lyons, Magnum Force completed the 5 furlongs on a firm turf course in :56.36. It is the first victory in the World Championships for Lyons and the second for Keane, who won the 2020 Turf (G1) on Tarnawa (IRE).
Governor Sam, under Paco Lopez, shot to the lead out of the gate and opened a daylight margin that he carried into the stretch. Magnum Force raced against the rail and in the stretch found clear sailing along the inside to collar Governor Sam inside the sixteenth pole and holding off Arizona Blaze, who was rallying three wide and taking second by a half-length over Governor Sam.
The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Magnum Force’s earnings to $579,672 with a record of 5-2-2-1. It is the first graded stakes victory for the son of Mehmas (IRE) out of the Fastnet Rock mare Tropical Rock (GB).
Quotes:
Winning trainer Ger Lyons, Magnum Force (IRE) – “Listen, I knew the horse was the right horse for the job, but if he was good enough, we didn’t know until today. When you have Colin Keane riding for you, probably the most underrated jockey in the world just because he’s a little bit like his trainer and likes to stay at home and walk his dogs and stay at the farm and not go around the world. Believe me, he’s had two rides and two wins in the Breeders’ Cup and it’s about time the world opened up to him. It’s fantastic. It’s huge credit to the horse, my team and Abdulla my owner. There’s plenty of us guys at home who could do this if we get the horses. And the secret to training winners is getting the horses — it’s as simple as that. If a clown like me can train a winner of a Breeders’ Cup, anybody can.”
Trainer Adreian Murray, second with Arizona Blaze (GB) – “A brilliant run and I thought we had it. He’s lost nothing in defeat. Umberto (Rispoli) gave him a great ride so we’re gutted but delighted at the same time.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli, second with Arizona Blaze (GB) – “I thought we had it. I couldn’t believe it when Colin came flying up the rail. He’s broken my dream, but what a run from the horse.
“It was the dream trip I wanted. I was sitting on the fence. I was waiting, waiting, waiting. I knew there was a ton of speed ahead of me. I take away the horse from the battle. I was trying to save the horse for the second part. I came to the top of the stretch and decided I have to take my shot. I saw the gap opening up on the inside, then I say, OK, it’s time to go. Colin (Keane) was riding the rail. He got lucky and found the spot on the inside and he just came around me. But big credit to my team and everybody invoked. I’m really happy I’m pleased to be the effort of the horse.”
Trainer George Weaver, third with Governor Sam – “The horse ran big. We had to make a decision whether or not to commit. Paco (Lopez) committed and I have no second guessing. Paco went to the front, and we had a lead at the sixteenth pole. We couldn’t hold. The Europeans bring some great horses over here and we finished third in a big race and I am thrilled for the owners and the horse and he’ll come back better than ever next year. He tries. He is an honest horse; he wants to win. I have a lot of respect for European horses. They bring their second-tier horses over here and they are better than our turf horses. That is a generalization. I respect their turf horses a lot. Our horse had won four in a row, but we don’t know what he was running against, but he has beaten them. I am very happy with his performance.”
Jockey Paco, third with Paco Lopez – “He tried very hard. He seemed to break very well. I had to use him a little bit. After that, he took me to the lead. He gave me everything. The other horses were coming from behind on the outside of me. It happens. The best horses and best races are here, and I’m very happy with how he ran and finished third. He ran very good.”
Trainer Hideyuki Mori, beaten favorite Ecoro Sieg – “It was his first time that he couldn’t take a lead and it was a difficult race for him.”
Jockey Christophe Lemaire, beaten favorite Ecoro Sieg – “Other horses were a little bit quicker than him at the very first yard. They came inside very quickly and I had to check out. Never been in that position before. He didn’t take a breath and couldn’t quicken at the bend. We were in a good spot. Just a lack of experience.”
