Appleby plans Breeders' Cup Mile defense for Modern Games

Modern Games is on track to defend his Breeders' Cup Mile title after a victory in the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury on Saturday.

Trainer Charlie Appleby plans to design the rest of Modern Games' 2023 season based on an ultimate goal of defending in the Breeders' Cup Mile, according to a report from Sky Sports. Races under consideration include the Queen Anne(G1) at Royal Ascot and the Sussex (G1) at Goodwood.

Modern Games settled toward the rear on the stands side while Mutaasabeq made the early running. Approaching the furlong mark, the stalking Chindit drove to the lead as Modern Games continued to make smooth progress toward the outside rail.

Chindit attempted to bite Modern Games as he descended near the half-furlong mark, but an unfazed Modern Games kicked past to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the 3-1 favorite. Chindit held place by a length over Berkshire Shadow.

Modern Games has a 15: 8-4-1 career record with $3,519,989 in earnings. His victory in the Lockinge was his fifth career victory at the top level. Those five Grade 1 or Group 1 victories have come in four different countries: the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile in the United States, the French 2000 Guineas, the 2022 Woodbine Mile in Canada, and now the Lockinge in England.