BC Turf Sprint Winner Caravel Returns to Work Tab
Image:
Description:
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Caravel wins the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland
Caravel , the frontrunning winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), returned to the work tab Feb. 18 at Turfway Park.
Trained by Brad Cox, the 6-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast breezed for the first time since her Breeders' Cup victory, clocking three furlongs in :37 2/5 on the all-weather surface. The work was the sixth fastest of 16 Saturday morning. She returned to training in January.
Following the Turf Sprint, Cox reported that Caravel would not be retired and instead pursue a 2023 campaign with a return to the Breeders' Cup being the ultimate goal.
Bred in Pennsylvania by Elizabeth Merryman, Caravel made her first 12 starts for Merryman (though Bobby Flay was a partner in four of those outings) before selling for $500,000 at the 2021 November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale near Lexington. Agent Fergus Galvin signed the ticket on the mare on behalf of Qatar Racing, Marc Dentampel, and Madaket Stables.
Caravel enjoyed her best season yet in 2022 winning five of her eight starts, capturing the Franklin Stakes (G3T), Intercontinental Stakes, Smart N Fancy Stakes, and Queen Stakes capped by the Turf Sprint at Keeneland. In her 2022 encore performance, Caravel defeated a top-class international field of rivals at odds of 42-1. Her $87.78 payoff was among the highest in Breeders’ Cup history.