Godolphin homebred Mysterious Night left rivals toiling in his wake as he rolled to 5 3/4-length victory in the $500,000 Pattison Summer Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds Saturday at Woodbine.
Notching his third win from six career starts for trainer Charlie Appleby, the Irish-bred Dark Angel colt was slow to start but was soon in contention, rating close to the early pace in fourth along the inside. Angled to the outside of pacesetter Ninetyfour Expos nearing the stretch, Mysterious Night easily shook off that rival and drew away to the easy win under William Buick.
Appraise was best of the rest, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Philip My Dear in third.
Mysterious Night covered the one-mile race in 1:34.98 on firm turf rated as firm, while earning an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) Nov. 4 at Keeneland via the Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” series.
Mysterious Night, whose dam is the Shamardal mare Mistrusting, came in off a win at Deauville in the Prix Francois Boutin (G3) August 14 and proved much the best in his North American debut Saturday. He returned $3.10.
“He rode beautiful and the track is in great condition,” said Buick. “I walked it before, and you know, it's as good as it always is. We knew the horse was going to like it, fast ground. He travelled through the race beautifully. He was giving me plenty of confidence throughout the race and he was happy travelling away, so it was perfect for him and hopefully he can go on from here.”
Appleby and Godolphin won last year's edition of the Summer Stakes with Albahr.
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