Godolphin: Modern Games to Return in Maker's Mark Mile

The overseas-based Modern Games (IRE), who became North America's champion turf male last year after successful excursions to win the Woodbine Mile (G1T) and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), will soon be in pursuit of more North American glory. Owner/breeder Godolphin tweeted March 29 that the son of Dubawi (IRE) would start his 4-year-old year in the $600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1T) April 14 at Keeneland for British trainer Charlie Appleby. He is scheduled to have a stablemate join him at Keeneland, with Godolphin also noting on Twitter that With The Moonlight (IRE) is headed to the $600,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T), run April 15 at the Lexington track. Last year, the Godolphin homebred Frankel (GB) filly won the Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) and placed in two other graded races in the United States. While Modern Games is unraced this year, not having competed since the Breeders' Cup, With The Moonlight has raced twice in 2023 at Meydan in Dubai, winning the Cape Verdi Stakes (G2) and Balanchine Stakes (G2), both in February. She is 6-2-1 in 11 starts with earnings of $815,271. Modern Games is 7-3-1 in 13 races with a bankroll of more than $3.1 million. He is 3-for-3 in North America, having also taken the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar when racing for purse money only after being mistakenly scratched and placed back into the race following an incident from a horse alongside him in the starting gate.