Starspangled fades in Turf Sprint

Saturday 3 November 2012

1 Mizdirection (Mike Smith) 7-1
2 Unbridled's Note (Corey Nakatani) 9-2 Fav
3 Reneesgotzip (Garrett Gomez) 12-1

Starspangledbanner finished well adrift of Mizdirection in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Aidan O'Brien's six-year-old, who returned to action this season after a failed career at stud, set an electric pace under the trainer's son, Joseph, and fleetingly looked to have been travelling like the best horse, but grew weary towards the line once the protagonists assumed control and could only finish 10th.

Mizdirection, trained by Mike Puype and ridden by Mike Smith, became embroiled in a fascinating three-way tussle with Unbridled's Note and Reneesgotzip, but had half a length in hand over the former at the post.

Puype, who was securing his first Breeders' Cup success, said: "She had really good speed figures for this race. I couldn't be happier with her today. She lost ground but she still kicked on."

Smith said: "Mike's a brilliant trainer and she looked ready. She's really a two-miler so I knew she'd get the six and a half (furlongs)."