Line Of Duty added further lustre to a year to remember for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin with victory in what proved to be a dramatic running of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs on Friday night.

William Buick’s mount looked beaten at one stage, but picked up bravely to get the better of Uncle Benny – although the pair did bump just before the line, as well as coming close on the turn. A tense wait ensued, but the placings remained unaltered.

Derby-winning trainer Appleby was recording his third career win at the meeting from just five runners.

He said of his Galileo colt: “He was under the pump pretty early in proceedings, but it didn’t really bother me as he just loves to be driven, and the harder you drive him, the more he finds. It was a fantastic ride by William.

“I knew when he got him rolling down the straight there that he always hits the line strong, I knew he’d find plenty and that’s what he did. It’s a fantastic result for the team, to have another winner here is fantastic.”

Buick said: “He didn’t come out as well (from the stalls) as I’d have hoped, and when the incident happened my horse had come out to the middle of the track, while the other horse came across a gave me a couple of bombs.

“Then my horse lost his concentration, but it was right on the wire. Although it made no difference to the result, I would have respected the decision if it had gone the other way. The best horse definitely won the race, and in truth I didn’t have the most straightforward trip myself.”

Arthur Kitt was a gallant fourth for Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote, but Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck found things against him, breaking well enough from his draw in stall 14 but never able to get cover and ultimately struggling.

TOP CLASS FILLY

Newspaperofrecord produced a sensational performance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz, the Chad Brown-trained youngster was very much the buzz horse before the one-mile showpiece and lived up to all the hype from the front.

Ortiz kept a little wide of the inside on his way round, as his mount moved effortlessly through the testing conditions, and once he let out an inch of rein, the Lope De Vega filly simply laughed at her rivals. The winner may be campaigned in Europe next year.

Running a huge race in second, however, was the Kevin Ryan-trained East, who came home to great effect under Jamie Spencer, having more behind than in front at the top of the straight and then being checked in her run.

A delighted Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, said: “She has done us proud, she is a very good filly.

“When you bring them here you never know what they are capable of, but she seemed to handle the conditions well enough and is a filly to look forward to. We’ll get her home now and I think the logical thing would be to look at the 1000 Guineas.”

BALLYDOYLE THIRD

So Perfect fared best of the European raiders in third as Bulletin blazed a trail to take the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Javier Castellano-ridden Bulletin broke swiftly and enjoyed himself at the head of affairs, finding plenty when challenged by Chelsea Cloisters to ultimately win going away.

So Perfect made late ground under Wayne Lordan for Aidan O’Brien, with the William Haggas-trained Queen Of Bermuda doing likewise in fourth in the hands of Flavien Prat.

Lordan said: “They were going very quick, and she had a bit to do at halfway, but she came home well and I was pleased with her.”

Haggas said: “She ran on well from a bad draw and I’m absolutely delighted with that. She will now remain in the States to be trained by Graham Motion.”

Having missed the break, Archie Watson’s Soldier’s Call turned for home in fourth on the rail, but while briefly looking like he might get involved, ultimately faded at the business end.

DIRT CHAMPIONS

Friday evening's action concluded with two Grade 1 races for two-year-olds on the dirt and they both produced impressive winners - both ridden by Joel Rosario.

Jaywalk made all to win the Juvenile Fillies for trainer John Servis, while Bob Baffert's Game Winner overcame a wide trip and a late bump to win the Juvenile. The Candy Ride colt is now the Kentucky Derby favourite.

READ SEAN CLANCY'S RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF THE SATURDAY BREEDERS' CUP CARD IN THE IRISH FIELD