Breeders’ Cup: Mischief Magic sets Juvenile Turf Sprint record

Lexington, Ky.

With a late move to split horses in the deep stretch, Mischief Magic (6-1) made an early score for Europe and Godolphin on Friday by winning the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint, the first of 14 Breeders’ Cup races at Keeneland.

Ridden by William Buick for trainer Charlie Appleby, the homebred Exceed and Excel colt won by one length over Dramatised (12-1). Private Creed (10-1) was another neck back in third, followed two lengths later by Persian Force (5-1).

The winning time of 1:02.41 was a stakes record for the 5 1/2-furlong race, which has had only five runnings. Including the just-concluded Keeneland fall meet, it was the sixth time a new standard was set on a turf course baked firm by an ongoing drought.

For Appleby, it was a continuation of a hot streak in the Breeders’ Cup. He won three races last fall at Del Mar.

“I have to say I knew they were going to go hard," Appleby said after the race. "From the gate, William is riding in such great form and has so much confidence in his horses. I can see what he was doing. He was just going to get him on his lead.

"But he made a lovely run (up the backside) and he was trying to angle out and just got pushed back (inside). He didn’t do the horse any harm as I said to William, the one thing he wants is to give him gaps. Give him daylight and the old bugger just might have a second chance. Fantastic ride by William and great effort by all the team. Great to be back.”

Under Kentucky's penny-breakage law, which does not round off payouts, Mischief Magic paid $15.84, $7.88 and $5.92; Dramatised $12.36 and $7.56; and Private Creed $5.48.

Previously unbeaten Iowa-bred colt Tyler’s Tribe (12-1) was eased across the finish line by jockey Kylee Jordan and was walked under his own power onto an equine ambulance.

“He had bleeding from his nostrils,” attending veterinarian Dr. Alan Ruggles told NBC Sports. “It’s typically from the lungs and causes poor performance. He was not in distress. They loaded him in the van and gave him a ride back to the barn. He’ll be evaluated there. He’ll have an endoscopy of his upper airway to determine the site of bleeding. We know a lot about this condition, and it’s usually successfully treated. But he’s certainly, probably going to get some time off.”