Mozart romps in July Cup

Mozart established himself as Europe's leading sprinter Thursday with a blazing performance in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.

Always on the lead, Mozart, a 3-year-old Danehill colt, quickened clear at the quarter pole, responding instantly to Michael Kinane's urging. The 4-1 Mozart defeated Cassandra Go, who had won the King's Stand Stakes, by 3 1/2 lengths in the 18-runner field. The time for the six furlongs on good ground was 1:09.86, just .35 of a second off the track record set by Stravinsky in this race two years ago.

Always highly regarded by trainer Aidan O'Brien and owner Michael Tabor, Mozart was not quite able to produce his best when he stepped up to a mile, although he did finish a good second to stablemate Black Minnaloushe at that distance in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

Dropped back to seven furlongs for the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mozart responded with a hard-fought neck victory. O'Brien said that the five furlongs of the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Aug. 23 would suit the Irish-bred Mozart.