Monarchs come and monarchs go. Currently, there is one atop the turf sprint throne at Keeneland, and she looks fantastic.
Caravel has ascended to the top of the heap at historic Keeneland Race Course thanks to three consecutive wins in the Turf Sprint division. It began with a pace-stalking score in the Franklin-Simpson Stakes in her first appearance at the track nestled in the heart of horse country. Conquering 10 other females on October 16, 2022, this set the stage for her climb toward the crown.
Deciding to battle the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Caravel broke like a shot and never looked back. Winning in gate-to-wire fashion, thirteen boys tasted the grass as this girl showed her guts and enjoyed the glory. Perfectly prepared by trainer Brad Cox, she certainly outran her 42-1 odds that day.
April 8, 2023, marked another test for Queen Caravel. Unraced since her magnificent march in the Breeders’ Cup, some wondered if her reign could continue. Taking on eleven boys in the grade 2 Shakertown Stakes, this was another BIG test. Again breaking alertly, this daughter of Mizzen Mast set a strong early pace (21.86 opening quarter) and took a pressured lead into the far turn. As the stretch drive unfolded, her time on top was threatened. Long shot Bad Beat Brian looked her in the eyes as he drew alongside with a slew of others closing fast. Showing the heart of a real racehorse, Caravel responded and refused to abdicate. Muscling her way back into the lead, this striking six-year-old held on to her scepter by a neck.
“There is always a concern when you come back off a bit of a layoff”, says Brad Cox. “She ran big today in beating the boys again and we are so proud of her. Obviously she likes Keeneland and right now she kind of owns this place.”
The Shakertown was Caravel’s third consecutive win and marked career victory number thirteen from twenty-one-lifetime starts. She now has just over $1.5 million in career earnings.
