Johannesburg's Group I Hat Trick; On to Breeders' Cup

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In his final prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier's Johannesburg easily won his third group I race of the year in Thursday's Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, England. Ridden by Michael Kinane as the 3-10 favorite in the field of seven 2-year-olds, Johannesburg was placed in fourth early as stablemate Line Rider set a fast early pace. Johannesburg soon displayed his top form and cruised to a three-length triumph in a final time of 1:11.73 for six furlongs over a course labeled :good to soft." Zipping finished second, followed by Doc Holiday.

A juvenile son of Coolmore stallion Hennesy, Johannesburg remains undefeated in six career starts for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Twice sold at public auction ($240,000 as a weanling and $200,000 as a yearling, both at Keeneland), Johannesburg's previous group I success came in the Phoenix Stakes and Prix Morny, a race he won despite losing a shoe.

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