Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

The expectations from Caravel might have been muted when Qatar Racing bought her out of Fasig-Tipton’s 2021 The November Sale, considering Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s racing operation acquired her as a replacement for its multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil, who sold out of the same sale for $5 million.

They knew Caravel was a good racehorse with the potential to improve, but she far exceeded all expectations Nov. 5 at Keeneland when she rocked the $1 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with a front-running victory at odds of 42.89-1.

The 5-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast defeated an exceptionally deep field that included two-time Breeders’ Cup winner and 1.32-1 favorite Golden Pal, who broke slowly and was taken out of his usual forwardly placed running style.

“She was running back in 20 days, but had a race over the course. She was doing extremely, extremely well,” said trainer Brad Cox. “She’s filly that has had a hard time keeping on weight and since the end of the summer, she’s really blossomed. We decided to take a swing and it worked out.”

Caravel defeated European shipper Emaraaty Ana by a half-length under Tyler Gaffalione, covering 5 ½ furlongs in 1.01.79. Golden Pal never threatened and finished 10^th of 14.

Qatar Racing owns Caravel with Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables. She improved her career record to 12 wins, 0 seconds, and three thirds in 20 starts with $1,331,152 in earnings.–Frank Mitchell