The Jeff Smith-owned Ghostwriter coasted clear of the Sept. 30 Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) field at Newmarket in an impressive manner to win his first start in group company. With this victory in the one-mile race for 2-year-old colts, the son of Invincible Spirit earned an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.
Ghostwriter secures his spot in the #BreedersCup Juvenile Turf with victory in the #WinAndYoureIn Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes! Cheers to the connections! pic.twitter.com/Q54TWy6Ft4
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) September 30, 2023
Traveling in midfield off the pace for much of the journey, Ghostwriter settled in midpack off the pace before making his move with two furlongs to run. He responded well when jockey Richard Kingscote asked him to quicken, and surged ahead of his rivals to keep his unbeaten record intact with a 1 1/4-length victory at odds of 3-1. Al Musmak finished a half-length ahead of Capulet for runner-up honors.
Ghostwriter, now 3-for-3, completed the mile in 1:37:06 over a course listed as good to firm.
"He was very much learning on the job on each of his first two runs," said trainer Clive Cox of Ghostwriter. "Today was a proper test and we couldn't be more pleased. He's got lots of class. I'm so pleased for Jeff (Smith), and all the team at home.
"It's a real joy to have a winner like this on a day like this. He's definitely going to want a bit further, but we'll take it one step at a time. It looks like he could be exciting."
