Front-running Star fades in sprint Mizdirection landed a big gamble when winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint under Mike Smith at Santa Anita. The grey filly had a Morning Line price of 20/1 but was backed into 9/2 and she finished best of all to land the spoils. Aidan O'Brien's Starspangledbanner made use of his good draw and took them along, opening up a two-length lead early in the straight. However, he faded late on with Mizdirection staying on best to beat Unbridled's Note by half a length with Reneesgotzip back in third. Mike Puype, who was securing his first Breeders' Cup success, said: "She had really good speed figures for this race. "I couldn't be happier with her today. "She lost ground but she still kicked on." Smith said: "Mike's a brilliant trainer and she looked ready. "She's really a two-miler so I knew she'd get the six and a half (furlongs)." Despite the manner of his defeat, Starspangledbanner set remarkably quick fractions in the first half a mile. Aidan O'Brien was similarly impressed, and is looking forward to next season with some relish. He said: "We made the decision to let him roll along and he seemed to quicken up nicely coming into the stretch. "We were really delighted with his performance, although I think he wants to be running over five furlongs or six furlongs. "Six and a half furlongs may have been a bit far for him. "The good thing is that his pace is right back. "We can look forward to him next year."
