FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF

It was a battle between the Godolphin runners to the wire in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF at Santa Anita Park Nov. 4 with Master of The Seas using a late surge to beat Mawj by the slimmest of noses on the wire.

Master of the Seas gave trainer Charlie Appleby, jockey William Buick, and Godolphin three straight victories in the Mile following Modern Games' success last year and the win by Space Blues in 2021.

Though Master of The Seas came into Saturday's race with sharp form from a fall campaign in North America that resulted in a win in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile and a second in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile, some had their doubts about his chances after the race's post position draw. Masters of The Seas landed the far outside post, leading some to speculate that he would lose ground with a wide trip.

"When we drew stall 14, I wouldn't say it was a dampener as much as it was more of a challenge for him," Appleby said.

Master of The Seas needed to pass 10 horses down the lane to win and stuck his nose in front a stride or two before the finish. Master of The Seas ($8.60) raced a mile on firm turf in 1:32.45, following quick fractions of :22.16, :45.37 and 1:09.12.

"I looked up halfway down the (backstretch), and I thought that's a lot of horses to pass," Buick said. "On the home turn, I was a bit lucky because the horse in front of me didn't pull out, so I didn't turn in as wide as what I thought I would have to. So I managed to conserve a little bit more ground than what I expected. Once he went past the quarter pole, he just took off."

Three-year-old filly Mawj, a half-sister to Modern Games and winner of the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Dixiana at Keeneland last month, stalked the pace ad took the lead in midstretch only to be caught at the finish line. She finished a half-length clear of the top-performing American runner Casa Creed, who turned was third.

American filly Gina Romantica ran fourth ahead of Japan's Songline, the favorite, who was fifth. 

Master of The Seas will continue to race in 2024. Appleby mentioned that the gelding had been invited to the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes, a $1 million turf race at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

In addition to capturing the Mile for the third time, the British-based Appleby notched his 10th Breeders' Cup victory from 20 starters. Buick won his eighth Breeders' Cup race.