Starlust captures the Turf Sprint (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif.— Mrs. Fitriani Hay’s Starlust (GB) ($69.20), last early on, found clear running along the rail in the stretch to score a neck victory over Motorious (GB) to win the 16th running of the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) for 3-year-olds and up at Del Mar on Saturday afternoon.
Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan, Starlust completed the 5 furlongs on a firm turf course in :55.92. It is the second World Championships victory for Beckett, who previously won with Muhannak (IRE) in the 2008 Marathon. It is the first Breeders’ Cup win for Ryan.
Heavily favored Cogburn rocketed out to an uncontested lead and maintained a daylight advantage until mid-stretch when the field began to close in. Ag Bullet and Star of Mystery (GB) closed in first on Cogburn while to the inside, Starlust had clear sailing and got up in the final strides for the victory. Motorious got up for second by a nose over Ag Bullet.
Third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita last year, Starlust is a 3-year-old son of Zoustar (AUS) out of the Invincible Spirit mare Beyond Desire (GB). Now carrying a record of 18-6-3-3, Starlust picked up $520,000 for the victory that boosted his earnings to $915,137.
Quotes:
Winning trainer Ralph Beckett, Starlust (GB) – “He’s a really tough horse, not had a break all year. 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 (GB) in the Arc was very different to today and I’m very proud of what he’s achieved. What a day!”
On winning the BC Marathon 16 years ago and then another win today:
“There’s an irony there because it was nearly as good a ride today as it was with Pat (Smullen) 16 years ago. Pretty much on par, for different reasons. Muhannak was notoriously tricky and difficult and this horse is in equal measure, straightforward. He just couldn’t lay up and go with them and we talked about going down the rail with him beforehand if he got a long way back. 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.”
Regarding the inquiry:
“It was a long time ago and you may not remember, but Secret Gesture got taken down in the Beverly D. in 2013 and there was a bit of deja-vu, but it wouldn’t have been fair to take him down, given the favorite lugged out. But, finally, it’s a terrific day.”
On winning the Arc and now a Breeders’ Cup 4 weeks later:
“The reality is that when you’re in it, it’s very hard to enjoy it. 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.”
Winning jockey Rossa Ryan, Starlust (GB) – “An unbelievable day on a brilliant horse. We took our time and rode him for a bit of luck and thankfully it paid off. He’s a very tough and consistent horse who deserved this win, so I’m delighted. It didn’t work out last time out but today it has.”
Trainer Phil D’Amato, second with Motorious (GB) – “He ran a great race. He was just stuck on the inside, but I thought the jock (Antonio Fresu) did a great job of getting him out and getting him into his run. We almost got the job done. Having to break from the rail, I thought he did a great job.”
(On the inquiry): “You can make a legitimate argument that (Starlust) cost Cogburn a placing, but that is up to the stewards.”
Jockey Antonio Fresu, second with Motorious (GB) – “I know we weren’t happy with the draw by actually turned out good. The thing is this horse always run as best when he comes on the outside. All of his winners have come from the outside because he needs some room and he is not the bravest one. That’s why I didn’t stay where I was. You can see when he’s behind horses he had his head up, like he didn’t want to get there, and then I had a chance to get him out, I took it and you see the result. As soon as he’s on the outside, he started running. And then the winner came really fast on the inside and we were just just unlucky he came there on time”
Trainer Richard Baltas, third with Ag Bullet – “Super proud of her, shortening back up to five-eighths of a mile after running a mile and running six and a half. I wasn’t so sure she obviously would do the five-eighths. She ran her race. I’m very proud of her. Umberto (Rispoli) had to make a decision inside or outside. He just made the right move I think. It’s tough. I’m very proud of her performance. She hit the board.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli, third with Ag Bullet – “She likes to throw me out of the gate a few times. I think it was an absolutely great effort from her. She’s coming back very quickly after a Grade 1 at Keeneland going a mile and to be honest with you, going five furlongs with the best sprinter in the world, I think it was a hell of a run for her.
“I know five furlongs is a little bit short for her, so that makes me move a little early and doesn’t let me ride her the way I really wanted. But I had a good trip and I can’t complain. I just got run down by two nice horses.”
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr, beaten favorite Cogburn – “I used him a little early. I was in between two horses and he didn’t break that well today. I had to use him a little bit early. I just let him be him. I didn’t want to fight to much with him and I turned for home, I asked him to give me a good kick, but they went by me.”
