Buzzword caps big weekend for Godolphin

Godolphin completed a profitable weekend in Germany on Sunday when Buzzword surprised a big field in the $647,000 Deutsches Derby (German Derby), defeating local hero Zazou by 1 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/2-mile classic. Forgotten in the betting market at 17.80-1, the winning son of Pivotal tracked the pace in third under Royston Ffrench and led approaching the furlong marker while covering the distance in 2:29.51 on good ground.

Russian Tango was placed third after Sir Lando was disqualified and moved back to fourth for interference inside the final furlong. Monterosso, the Mark Johnston-trained winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, failed as the 3-1 favorite, finishing a one-paced seventh, beaten 5 3/4 lengths in all.

Trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, Buzzword had finished 4 1/2 lengths third behind Monterosso at Ascot, so there was little to suggest he would be the first across the line. A well beaten eighth behind Workforce in the Epsom Derby, Buzzword was winning for the first time since taking the seven-furlong, Group 3 Prix La Rochette at Longchamp on Sept. 6, since when his seven losses had included a fifth-place finish behind Pounced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Zazou, the winner of the Group 2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen, had no apparent excuse. Ridden by Olivier Peslier, the 3.30-1 second choice was on Buzzowrd’s shoulder almost every step of the way but was simply outfinished in the end.

Godolphin’s big German weekend had begun at Hamburg on Saturday when the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Campanologist defeated last year’s German Derby winner and even money favorite Wiener Walzer in the Group 1, $200,000 Deutschland-Preis. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, the 5-year-old son of Kingmambo prevailed by three quarters of a length while clocking 2:33.04 on good ground.

The winner of the 1 1/2-mile, Group 2 Dubai City of Gold at Meydan in March, Campanologist had only been ninth in Dar Re Mi’s Dubai Sheema Classic. Since then he had finished fourth behind Arlington Million candidate Querari in the 1 1/4-mile, Group 1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica in Rome and third behind Jakkalberry in the 1 1/2-mile, Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano. A return to Germany is very much in the cards for Campanologist, most likely in the Grosser Preis von Baden on Sept. 5.