Ghostwriter earns Breeders' Cup bid, Derby points in Royal Lodge

Ghostwriter coasted clear of the Royal Lodge (G2) field on Saturday at Newmarket in an impressive manner to win his first start in group company. With this victory in the one-mile race for 2-year-old colts, the son of Invincible Spirit earned an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

The race was also the second on the Europe Road to the Kentucky Derby. The top five horses earned points allotted 10-5-3-2-1. The race was the second of seven races in that series. the series opened last Saturday in the Beresford at the Curragh, which Deepone won.

After a level break, the nine-runner field split into two groups as the Richard Hannon-trained Son and 9-5 favorite Capulet, trained by Aidan O’Brien, set a steady pace.

As the runners approached halfway, Ghostwriter, trained by Clive Cox for owner Jeff Smith, was settled midfield alongside Caviar Heights and Al Musmak. Inside the final 2 furlongs, the eventual winner was traveling with ease. He responded well when jockey Richard Kingscote asked him to quicken, and surged to keep his unbeaten record intact with a 1 1/4-length victory at odds of 3-1. Al Musmak finished a half-length ahead of Capulet for runner-up honors.

Ghostwriter, now 3-for-3, completed the mile in 1:37:06 over a course listed as good to firm.

Cox, who is closing in on his 1000th winner as a trainer, said: “He was very much learning on the job on each of his first two runs. Today was a proper test and we couldn’t be more pleased. He’s got lots of class. I’m so pleased for Jeff (Smith), and all the team at home.

“It’s a real joy to have a winner like this on a day like this. He’s definitely going to want a bit further, but we’ll take it one step at a time. It looks like he could be exciting.”

Kingscote said: “He jumped and got in a nice rhythm... (and) picked up nicely heading into the dip. He’s a very likable sort going forward. He’s going to be a middle-distance horse next year, but he’s not short of toe, he’s got a bit of class.”

Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Ghostwriter to start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, which will be run at 1 mile. It will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete. The challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 23 to receive the rewards.