Mongolian Saturday Conquers Turf Sprint
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Mongolian Saturday holds off Lady Shipman to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
In a thrilling rendition of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), Mongolian Saturday prevailed by holding off Lady Shipman by a neck Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Mongolian Saturday had finished second in the Woodford Stakes (gr. III) in the mud at the Lexington oval Oct. 3.
Lady Shipman broke alertly in the 5 1/2-furlong event, but Ready For Rye quickly wrested the lead from the filly while rider Florent Geroux placed Mongolian Saturday just outside the front-runner as the first quarter went in :22.19. Lady Shipman and Joe Franklin stayed close to the front as the half-mile went in :45.09.
Turning for home, Mongolian Stable's Mongolian Saturday separated from the other 13 runners and opened up a three-length advantage. But Lady Shipman was determined, and made a sustained run at the leader down the lane, shortening the margin between them with every stride.
The wire came up just in time for Mongolian Saturday in a final time of 1:03.49 on turf rated good. Lady Shipman was a half-length ahead of Green Mask. Defending Turf Sprint winner Bobby's Kitten rallied down the lane to finish fourth. Completing the order of finish were Undrafted, No Silent, Ready For Rye, Pure Sensation, Marchman, Stacked Deck, Joe Franklin,The Great War, Something Extra, and Jimmy Bouncer.
The winner returned $33.80, $13.60, and $7.80. Lady Shipman was good for $5.40 and $4.60, while Green Mask paid $5.40 to show.
Mongolian Saturday was bred in Kentucky by Normandy Farm. He is by Any Given Saturday—Miss Hot Salsa, by Houston. He is trained by Enebish Ganbat. The 5-year-old gelding has won seven of 31 lifetime starts and has hit the board in all 10 of his starts this season. At the 5 1/2-furlong distance, he is three of five with a pair of seconds. With his $550,000 payday, his bankroll stands at $960,926.