Caramel Swirl scores sweet win in G2 Raven Run

Caramel Swirl produced a late rally to get up on the line in an exhilarating finish to the seven-furlong G2 Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland, USA, on Saturday, 23 October.

The Bill Mott-trained filly, a comprehensive winner of a maiden over the same course and distance in April, was covered up in mid-division initially before being shuffled back a couple of places down the back straight.

Caramel Swirl made good headway around the field turning in and responded gamely for Junior Alvarado as Someone Said So and Joy’s Rocket both made contact with the Godolphin homebred in the straight.

Joy’s Rocket and Caramel Swirl went clear of the field with half a furlong to race, with Caramel Swirl closing all the way to the wire to get up in a bob of the heads.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “It was a little tougher than when Caramel Swirl won her maiden here by 10 lengths, but Junior Alvarado gave her a super ride. She showed true determination and heart down the lane. She made it interesting and we are happy to be here in the winner’s circle.”

Junior Alvarado added: “Caramel Swirl is a very honest and classy filly. She does everything that you need her to do in the race. We were in a little tough spot down the back and I needed to get out of it because I wasn’t really comfortable there, but she helped me.

“When I decided to pick it up and stay in contention, she was there for me again. She makes my job easier. It was quite a battle in the end with two great fillies and neither wanted to lose, they were both digging down to the wire.”