Suedois Invades G1 Shadwell Turf Mile Victory Lane

LEXINGTON, KY – George Turner and Clipper Logistics’ European invader Suedois found the American turf to his liking, using a stalking trip to overtake the favored Heart to Heart in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1,000,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

The Shadwell Turf Mile is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with winner receiving an automatic berth in the $2 million Mile at Del Mar on Saturday, November 4.

Breaking cleanly from post 3 under Daniel Tudhope, Suedois settled four-wide in mid-pack as Heart to Heart posted fractions of :23.96, :48.17, and 1:12.41. Coming under a ride in the far turn, Suedois shifted out at the top of the stretch, then sped up as he found racing room down the lane. Chasing after Heart to Heart alongside Ballagh Rocks, Suedois got up in the final jumps to cross first by a 1/2-length in a final time of 1:35.94.

“I thought I had a nice position (toward the rear of the pack),” Tudhope said. “He travels really well, and I didn’t want to get (to the front) too soon. He finished really strong. He handled the track really well. I was happy with the way it went.”

Heart to Heart won the photo for second by a head over Ballagh Rocks.  Divisidero nosed out fourth over Mondialiste, who in turn was a head past the race’s defending champion Miss Temple City. Offering Plan, Le Ken, Flatlined, American Patriot, Christian C, Applicator, Tyler U, and Dimension completed the order of finish.

A multiple graded stakes winner in Europe, Suedois, the 5-year-old gelded son of Le Havre, took home $600,000 to become a millionaire, increasing his career earnings to $1,366,012. The victory improved the David O’Meara trainee’s record to 32-8-8-7.

“We’ve been here (in the U.S.) a couple of times before,” O’Meara said. “We were here for the Breeders’ Cup with Mondialiste, who finished second (in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile), and here in this race last year. (Keeneland) puts on really good prize money.

“It was a toss-up over taking (Suedois) to France for 7 (furlongs) or here for a mile. His previous start at a mile, he won it, and we were keen to keep him at the same distance.”

Suedois returned $21.40 to win, $8.60 to place, and $6.40 to show. Heart to Heart brought back $4 to place and $3.40 to show, while Ballagh Rocks paid $4.40 to show.

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