Starlust survives inquiry to shock Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Starlust, last early on, found clear running along the rail in the stretch to score a neck victory over Motorious to win the 16th running of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at Del Mar on Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan, Starlust completed the five furlongs on a firm turf course in 55.92 seconds. It was the second world championships victory for Beckett, who previously won with Muhannak 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 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 at Santa Anita last year, Starlust is owned by Mrs. Fitriani Hay. The 3-year-old son of Zoustar out of the Invincible Spirit mare Beyond Desire now has a record of 18: 6-3-3. Starlust picked up $520,000 for the victory that boosted his earnings to $915,137.

“He’s a really tough horse, not had a break all year," Beckett said. "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!”

Stewards made an inquiry into the stretch run, looking into the top four finishers. Starlust, who had been rallying up the rail, shifted out after Cogburn came out in front of him. Starlust shifted out afterward and bumped into Isivunguvungu, who weakened after being bumped. Stewards ruled unanimously that Starlust drifted out but that it did not warrant a disqualification.

There also was a delay at the start after Believing flipped in the starting gate and unseated rider Ryan Moore. Believing was scratched at the gate after the incident. She walked away from the gate accompanied by a pony. According to the Breeders' Cup feed, Moore also walked away unharmed.