Jockey William Buick - who opted out of the ride when Rebel's Romance won the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in Kentucky - settled his mount just off the pace, grabbing the lead on the final turn and holding off a late charge from Japanese raider Rousham Park at the Del Mar racetrack in California.
Japan's Shahryar finished third, but there was a bleak postscript to the race as European contender Jayarebe, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Sean Levey, collapsed just after the finish line and was pronounced dead.
On-call veterinarian Al Ruggles told broadcaster NBC that the cause of death was suspected to be a "cardiac event".