caravans the lead winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), returned to the work tab on February 18 at Race Park.
Coached by Brad Cox, the 6-year-old daughter of Column Mizzen crossed for the first time since her Breeders’ Cup win, hitting three runs in: 37 2/5 on all-weather surfaces. Fast job Friday out of 16 Saturday morning. She returned to training in January.
Following the Turf Sprint, Cox reports that Caravel will not be retiring and instead pursuing the 2023 campaign with the ultimate goal of returning to the Breeders’ Cup.
Bred by Elizabeth Merryman in Pennsylvania, Caravel made the first 12 starts for Merryman (although Bobby Flay was a partner on those 4) before selling for $500,000 in 2021. November sale, Fasig-Tipton livestock stock sale near Lexington. Agent Fergus Galvin signed the ticket on the mare on behalf of Qatar Racing, Marc Dentampel and Madaket Stables.
Caravel enjoyed her best season in 2022 winning five of her eight starts, winning Franklin Stakes (G3T), Intercontinental Stakes, Smart N Fancy Stakes and Turf-limited Queen Stakes Sprint at Keeneland. In her 2022 encore performance, Caravel defeated a world class opponent 42-1. Her winnings of $87.78 are among the highest in Breeders’ Cup history.
