Unbeaten Caravaggio Blitzes Phoenix Field

Caravaggio stayed unbeaten in winning the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) Aug. 7 at the Curragh, in an effortless performance some observers viewed as no more than glorified workout for the Kentucky-bred Scat Daddy colt.

Come off a victory at Royal Ascot in the Coventry Stakes (Eng-II), Caravaggio started the 1-8 favorite and lived up to the odds by overpowering four rivals, including pacesetting stablemate Courage Under Fire, and scoring by four lengths

Settled in fourth early under Seamus Heffernan, Caravaggio advanced on the outside after the half-mile mark, then swept past Courage Under Fire over a furlong out for the dominating victory.

Courage Under Fire, a Kentucky-bred son of War Front  , bested Railway (Ire-II) winner Medicine Jack for second by 2 3/4 lengths for second. Grand Coalition and Ambiguity completed the field.

Caravaggio covered six furlongs in 1:11.79 on good to firm turf, drawing kudos from trainer Aidan O'Brien, who described the facile winner as "the fastest we have ever had at Ballydoyle."

O'Brien posted a 15th win in the Phoenix Stakes while Heffernan, who was filling in for injured Ryan Moore, had previously won the race on O'Brien's Pedro the Great in 2012. 

O'Brien and Heffernan teamed for a three-win day Sunday after nabbing the two races preceding the Phoenix with Hydrangea and Utah (both 2-year-olds by Galileo).

Caravaggio's odds were the shortest since the race was established in 1902. He is the early favorite for next year's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket. 

"He's a very good horse and everything went 100%," O'Brien said. "In his last piece of work he hit a top speed of 45 miles per hour, and no horse in Ballydoyle has ever been able to do that.

"He's very pacey and has a great mind. He's so relaxed he could get further, but I'd say we'll have a look at the (Darley Prix) Morny (Fr-I, about six furlongs, Aug. 21 at Deauville).

"He's the fastest we have ever had, and I'd not be in a rush to go over seven furlongs. He could always go for the (Juddmonte) Middle Park (Eng-I, six furlongs, Sept. 24 at Newmarket) after the Morny."

A winner on debut at April 14 at Dundalk for Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Caravaggio followed up to take the Marble Hill Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths May 21 at the Curragh after collaring the runner-up in the final 100 yards. In his race prior to the Phoenix, he scored a 2 1/4-length victory in the Coventry June 14 at Royal Ascot.

Caravaggio, a half brother to 2010 Gallant Bloom (gr. II) winner My Jen, was bred by Windmill Manor Farms and Petaluma Bloodstock from 2002 Delta Miss Stakes winner Mekko Hokte, by Holy Bull. He is the third group I or grade I winner this year for deceased sire Scat Daddy, joining Dacita and Celestine.