Mysterious Night Stuns in Summer, Last Call is First in Natalma

Mysterious Night (IRE), under William Buick, was the easiest of winners in the Grade 1 $516,000 Pattison Summer Stakes, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, at Woodbine. on September 17.

Trained by Charles Appleby for owner-breeder Godolphin, the son of Dark Angel (IRE)-Mistrusting (IRE), by Shamardal was making his first start in Canada after five races to launch his career in Europe.

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The 2-year-old bay colt, sent off as the 1-2 choice, was at the top of his game over one mile on the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

Ninetyfour Expos stepped up to the plate first, as Chiseler and Stayhonor Goodside followed in second and third, respectively, while Buick settled Mysterious Night (IRE) into fourth along the rail through an opening quarter reached in :24.17.

Reaching the half in :47.83, Ninetyfour Expos held a one-length advantage over Chiseler, with Buick content to keep a patient hand aboard his charge, still galloping along in fourth.

As the field rounded the turn for home, Mysterious Night (IRE) received his cue and glided to the outside to take aim at the leader.

In early stretch, it was fait accompli, as the bay colt widened his advantage at will down the long lane, converting a two-length lead at Robert Geller’s stretch call into a 5 ¾-length romp. Appraise (IRE) was second, 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Philip My Dear. Ninetyfour Expos stayed on for fourth. Stayhonor Goodside, Sammy Stone, and Chiseler rounded out the order of finish.

The final time was 1:34.98.

“He rode beautiful and the track is in great condition,” said Buick. “I walked it before, and you know, it’s as good as it always is. We knew the horse was going to like it, fast ground. He travelled through the race beautifully. He was giving me plenty of confidence throughout the race and he was happy travelling away, so it was perfect for him and hopefully he can go on from here.”

It was the third win from six starts for Mysterious Night (IRE), who has also posted a second and two thirds. It was also the second straight Summer triumph for Appleby and Godolphin, who took last year’s running with Albahr (GB).

“We were keen to get a bit of cover on him, so it worked well that the two horse [Ninetyfour Expos] went forward and he slotted in nicely,” said Alex Merriam, assistant to Appleby. “He got a nice trip around and he was getting him settled, getting to switch off and travel around nicely. He’s a lovely horse.”

Prior to the Summer score, Mysterious Night (IRE) took the Group 3 Francois Boutin at Deauville, France, on August 14.

Now, the star-on-the-rise rookie has his first Grade 1 badge. The resounding score could set up a date in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on November 4.

Mysterious Night (IRE) paid $3.10, $2.30 and. $2.10. An exactor with Appraise (IRE) ($4, $2.50) returned $7.30. Philip My Dear ($2.30) finished off a triactor worth $17, with Ninetyfour Expos completing a $1 superfecta worth $38.50.

Mysterious Night is the fourth foal to race of winner Mistrusting who is also the dam of Grade 1 winner Althiqa, who took the Just a Game Stakes and Diana Handicap.

*The cleverly-named Last Call, one of two maidens in a field of eight, took her best shot in Saturday’s Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes and sprung a 21-1 upset in the one-mile turf race for 2-year-old fillies.

The $508,000 Natalma was a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, which will be run this year at Keeneland on November 4.

Last Call, a $30,000 yearling purchase by Donato Lanni at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale for his X-Men 2 syndicate and SF Bloodstrock, is a daughter of English Channel from the mare Over served by Black Minnaloushe.

“Yeah, obviously that’s very exciting,” said trainer Kevin Attard, while considering the tantalizing prospect of a Breeders’ Cup run with Last Call. “You know what I mean, a filly like her should get better with a little more time and a little more distance. It’s something we’re obviously going to have to discuss with the ownership group but I’m sure if all goes well, she’s earned her way there, so hopefully we have a date in Keeneland.”

Star Candy, trained by Mark Casse, took charge early from her outside post in the Natalma and showed the way by an even length through fractions of :24.27 and :49.20 with her stablemate Adora her closest pursuer.

Adora had moved to within a head of the leader after they straightened out through three-quarters in 1:12.76 but the backfield was in motion with Last Call looming prominently in the centre and Cairo Consort having swung to the outside to launch a strong bid.

Last Call had a 1 ½-length lead with a furlong to run, however, and refused to yield. Cairo Consort had to settle for second money with Maryland invader G Laurie, who was the 3-1 second choice, three-quarters of a length back in third.

Wickenheiser, also trained by Attard and sent off at 5-1, trailed the field early and rallied for fourth money, another two lengths back. Adora, Collecting Flatter, Courtly Ro and Star Candy completed the order of finish.

The final time for the Johnnie Walker Natalma was 1:36.49. Three races earlier, Mysterious Night (IRE) had captured the Summer Stakes, the colts and geldings counterpart to the Natalma, in 1:34.98.

Last Call had begun her career with a second-place finish behind the graduating Cairo Consort, who had returned to win the Catch a Glimpse Stakes over the E.P. Taylor Course.

In her only subsequent outing, Last Call had finished a troubled fourth and raced without blinkers for the first time in her breakthrough score in the Natalma.

“We put the blinkers on early because she just wasn’t showing a whole lot in the beginning and then the lightbulb kind of kicked in and she just started working more impressive each time,” said Attard. “And we were obviously a little disappointed in her last start, but we thought she was a little rank, she wouldn’t relax and settle so we’ve taken the blinkers off.

“I think just now with a couple races of experience under her belt and obviously her pedigree leans to more distance she put it all together today.”

Last Call returned $44.30, $13.40 and $7.40. The exactor returned $138.80 with the triactor worth $574.60 and the $1 superfecta coming in at $1,046.10.

Last Call’s dam Over served, a 2-time winner in 17 races, has produced 6 other foal to race, five winners including stakes placed English Tavern.