DEL MAR, Calif. – The problem for 2-year-old Europeans who come for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint arises about a quarter mile into the race – namely, the turn. Short European sprints, particularly at the higher levels, typically are run down a straightaway. But the challenge the turn presents for most overseas shippers proved an asset for Magnum Force, who parlayed an excellent ride from Colin Keane into victory in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday at Del Mar. The yard of trainer Ger Lyons in County Meath, Ireland, includes an oval track with an all-weather chip surface. Magnum Force does much of his training around these turns. In fact, Lyons thought Magnum Force could win the Juvenile Turf Sprint because of turn and the fast-playing Del Mar grass, which Magnum Force also enjoys. “It was just a question if he was good enough, and we found that out,” said Lyons. :: Get the inside scoop from the morning workouts with Breeders' Cup Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the DRF Clocker Team Lyons won his first Breeders’ Cup race with his third runner. Keane, champion jockey in Ireland this season, his sixth such achievement, is now 2 for 4, his first win in the Turf in 2020 at Keeneland with Tarnawa. Keane apprenticed 10 years ago with Lyons, who sang the jockey’s praises after the victory “He doesn’t shout, he’s humble, and he’s the most underrated champion jockey on planet earth,” Lyons said. “He’s a little bit like his trainer: The two of us like to stay home on our farm and walk the dogs.” But this week, they flew to California to run a horse. Magnum Force clocked 56.36 for five furlongs on firm ground, earned an 92 Beyer Speed Figure, and paid $27. He got up by a half-length over another European, Arizona Blaze, who made a homestretch blitz on the outside and briefly loomed a winner. “I had the dreaming trip I wanted,” said Arizona Blaze’s jockey, Umberto Rispoli. “I sit on the fence waiting, waiting. I knew there was going to be a ton of speed ahead of me. I take away the horse from the battle, trying to save the horse for the second part. Colin was a little unlucky at first, then he found a spot and ran me down.” Governor Sam led through an opening quarter mile in 21.77, hounded by fellow American runner Jet Sweep Joe. Keane said he thought he’d be closer to the leaders but wound up ninth, then eighth down the backstretch. Keane crept closer with his mount around the bend, which Magnum Force handled nimbly, steered inside to come after the leaders in the homestretch, then came outside Governor Sam for the win. Governor Same held gamely for third, saving the show by a nose over Big Mojo. Whistlejacket, surprisingly far behind the pace, rallied for fifth, followed by Aesterius and Ides of March, Ecoro Sieg, the 5-2 favorite, behind them in eighth. A front-running winner of his first two races, both in Japan, Ecoro Sieg bobbled at the start, then slightly stumbled, finding himself among a thicket of horses. “I had to check out a little bit,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire. “And then he didn’t take a breath, so he couldn’t quicken at the bend. It was the first time he was boxed in – a lack of experience, maybe.” Jet Sweep Joe, Gate to Wire, Pali Kitten, and Shareholder rounded out the finishing order. A homebred by Mehmas out of Tropical Rock, by Fastnet Rock, Mehmas campaigns for Abdulla Al Khalifa. He won for the second time in five starts, and Lyons believes the colt’s best days lie ahead of him. “The sky’s the limit next year, because it was always all about next year,” Lyons said. “We came here to teach him how to sprint.” Magnum Force already had learned to turn. And he proved, as his trainer said, good enough. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.