Breeders' Cup Mile: Ramatuelle bursts into the picture with eye-catching win
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Ramatuelle’s win Sunday in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp surely didn’t resonate for the American racing audience the way Carl Spackler’s had the day before in the Turf Mile at Keeneland. But Ramatuelle stamped herself a serious contender for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, at least as much so as Carl Spackler, who might not even be the most interesting BC Mile contender exiting the Turf Mile at Keeneland.
Carl Spackler made the most of a tactical advantage in the Turf Mile, though, to his credit, he coped with racing on the lead for the first time after spending the first nine starts of his career pressing and stalking. Carl Spackler also validated the first Grade 1 win of his career, in the Fourstardave at Saratoga, coming back with a 102 Beyer Speed Figure after a career-best 105 in the Fourstardave. Those figures align favorably with winning Beyers from the last several BC Miles.
Yet one could have come away from Carl Spackler’s victory wondering if the second-place finisher behind him, More Than Looks, might not wind up at least as appealing an option at Del Mar.
Late to make his 4-year-old debut after hurting himself in his stall at Fair Grounds this spring, More Than Looks hadn’t raced since the 2023 BC Mile when he finished second by more than three lengths in the Fourstardave. At Keeneland, More Than Looks got closer, roaring through his last quarter-mile in 22.50, including a final furlong faster than the penultimate one, flying late at Carl Spackler, who won the Turf Mile by opening a lead of more than two lengths from the quarter pole to the eighth pole.
“One hundred percent,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said just after the race when asked if she’d seen enough to aim at the BC Mile. “He’ll be third start off the layoff. And he improved today.”
More Than Looks finished sixth in the 2023 Mile, though he was beaten only two lengths and closed from 13th at the stretch call. The Keeneland race unfolded at a modest clip; the pace ought to be quicker at Del Mar, which helps his chances.
Meanwhile, Ramatuelle will join fellow 3-year-old filly Porta Fortuna shipping overseas for the Mile. Porta Fortuna beat Ramatuelle by a head in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket this past spring and by more than two lengths in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Porta Fortuna last saw action Sept. 14 at The Curragh, where she won the Group 1 Matron, but on ratings – and visually – Ramatuelle equaled or exceeded that performance in the Foret.
Racing for the first time since the Coronation, Ramatuelle unleashed a withering burst once muscling her way into the clear with one and a half furlongs of the seven-furlong Foret remaining, winning by three lengths over Kinross, a former Foret winner who finished a tough-trip third of 14 in the 2022 BC Mile at Keeneland.
Ramatuelle is American-bred by Triple Crown hero Justify and campaigns for a partnership headed by Tony Parker, a basketball star who won four NBA championships as the starting point guard for the San Antonio Spurs. She would be the first North American runner for trainer Christopher Head, son of trainer Freddy Head, who won two BC Miles as Miesque’s jockey and three more as Goldikova’s trainer.
Tribalist made no impact in the Foret and reportedly has been taken out of BC Mile consideration. Mountain Bear, third in the Turf Mile at Keeneland, is one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained horses under Mile consideration along with Diego Velazquez. Over the weekend, trainer Charlie Appleby, who has trained the last three Mile winners for Godolphin, confirmed that Notable Speech remains on track for a trip to Del Mar.
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