Good Magic Makes History In Juvenile

DEL MAR, CA – e Five Racing Thoroughbreds’ Good Magic made history on Saturday, becoming the first-ever maiden to win the Grade 1, $2,000,000 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Off alertly from post 6 under jockey Jose Ortiz, Good Magic sat inside just behind early leaders U S Navy Flag and Solomini through fractions of :22.83, :46.75, and 1:12.04. Hitting the top of the stretch, Ortiz positioned the Chad Brown trainee to the outside of the leaders and kicked away clear in romping fashion, crossing in a final time of 1:43.34 for the 1 1/16-mile main track event.

“It went the way Chad drew it up for me,” said Ortiz. “He said, ‘Break good and leave. When you make your move, be ready to be on the outside.’ I waited and went to the outside.”

Good Magic was 4 1/4 lengths ahead of second-place Solomini, who faded in the stretch but held off the late-charging Bolt d’Oro. Off as the heavy favorite, Bolt d’Oro bobbled at the start and was stuck running seven-wide for much of the race before getting up late for third, 8 1/4 lengths ahead of Givemeaminit. The Tabulator was a head past Hollywood Star for fifth. Firenze Fire, Hazit, Free Drop Billy, U S Navy Flag, Golden Dragon, and Bahamian completed the order of finish.

A close second in both career starts entering the Breeders’ Cup, including the Grade 1 Champagne, Good Magic’s career earnings now stand at $1,216,600 – not bad for a horse purchased for $1,000,000 as a yearling.

“I thought he was a winner every step of the way,” Brown said. “We took a shot because he was a maiden, but he’s developing rapidly. I am so proud of this horse and proud of my staff. He’s not a real big horse, but he’s growing. It was his first time around two turns, and he aced the test.”

Good Magic returned $25 to win, $9.40 to place, and $5.60 to show. Solomini brought back $8.40 to place and $4.40 to show, while Bolt d’Oro paid $2.60 to show.

Be sure to check the Results page for details on every thoroughbred and quarter horse race in North America, including how our PREMIUM PICKS performed!