King's Apostle earns BC Sprint spot at Deauville

King's Apostle is being considered for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint after his narrow victory in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday, a Win and You're In race.

The King's Best 5-year-old, trained in England by William Haggas and ridden by Ryan Moore, prevailed in the $354,000 dash, defeating Mariol by a half-length with the filly Lesson in Humility third, just a head farther back. Less than two lengths separated the first five finishers as the Bernard Kantor-owned winner sped the straight 6 1/2 furlongs on good ground in 1:15.70, exactly one second off Seeking the Pearl's 1998 track record.

Three lengths fifth behind Fleeting Spirit in the six-furlong, Group 1 July Cup last time, the 13-1 King's Apostle had previously been three-quarters of a lengths second to the now-deceased Utmost Respect in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes going six furlongs in May. Haggas has already named him for the six-furlong, Group 1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup on Sept. 5. Noting that King's Apostle needs good to firm ground, the trainer said that he is seriously considering both the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which will be run at about the Maurice de Gheest distance of 6 1/2 furlongs, and the six-furlong Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Dec. 13.

King's Apostle was beating three Group 1 winners in the Maurice de Gheest as Cheveley Park Stakes winner Serious Attitude finished eighth, Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Naaqoos, the 1.90-1 favorite, was 10th, and last year's Haydock Park Sprint Cup winner African Rose was only 11th of 12. She bled during the race, and the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Observatory will now be retired.