Mysterious Night Soars Last-to-First in Summer Stakes
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Photo: Michael Burns
Mysterious Night wins the Summer Stakes at Woodbine
Godolphin's homebred Mysterious Night , patiently handled by William Buick, impressed with a 5 3/4-length last-to-first win Sept. 17 in the CA$516,000 Pattison Summer Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.
The 2-year-old Dark Angel colt was sent off as the 1-2 choice in a seven-horse field off an Aug. 14 victory in the Circus Maximus Prix Francois Boutin (G3) at Deauville—his first group score for trainer Charlie Appleby—and won for the first time at the highest level. He is a full brother to Althiqa , winner of the Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1T) and Diana Stakes (G1T) for the same connections last year.
While some may have worried as Mysterious Night broke a step slow Saturday in the one-mile Summer, assistant trainer Alex Merriam was pleased to see the race play to plan as longshot Ninetyfour Expos set out for the lead.
"We were keen to get a bit of cover on him, so it worked well that (Ninetyfour Expos) went forward and he slotted in nicely," Merriam said. "He got a nice trip around and he was getting him settled, getting to switch off and travel around nicely. He's a lovely horse."
Ninetyfour Expos went the quarter in :23.08 and ran the half in :45.79 as Buick allowed Mysterious Night to gallop naturally on up to fourth along the inside. The eventual winner received the cue to go turning for home, and tipped out three-wide to take aim at the leader through three-quarters in 1:09.39.
The bay colt widened his advantage at will down the long lane through seven-eighths in 1:20.98, with Appraise running on from fifth to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Philip My Dear .
The final time was 1:34.98 on a firm course.
"He rode beautiful and the track is in great condition," Buick said. "I walked it before, and it's as good as it always is. We knew the horse was going to like it, fast ground. He travelled through the race beautifully. He was giving me plenty of confidence throughout the race and he was happy travelling away, so it was perfect for him and hopefully he can go on from here."
Mysterious Night (CA$3.10) improved his record to 3-1-2 from six starts, with earnings of $308.358. He is out of the stakes-winning Shamardal mare Mistrusting , whose four foals to race have all been winners. The mare has a yearling Kodiac filly and dropped a Dubawi colt March 19.
It was the second straight Summer triumph for Appleby and Godolphin, who took last year's running with Albahr . The Summer is a Breeders' Cup Challenge event, granting the winner an automatic place in the gate for the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Keeneland.