Godolphin’s Master of The Seas (IRE), last seen posting a nose victory over fellow Godolphin runner Mawj (IRE) in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF at Santa Anita, will make his 2024 debut Friday in the $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1).

“He is a worthy favorite,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, who arrived at Keeneland Thursday morning. “He broke his maiden on soft ground, and he’s won a Group 2 on soft.”

Master of The Seas is following the same path that Appleby plotted last year for Modern Games (IRE), who started 2023 in the Maker’s Mark Mile with a runner-up finish.

“At home in England, there are a lot of penalties for top-rated horses and here there are more spots, more opportunities,” Appleby said. “But you have to have the right horse to come here. This gives you the chance to learn the patterns … formats for later on (in North America) and it gives them experience.”

In addition to Master of The Seas, Appleby will saddle Naval Power (GB) for Godolphin. Naval Power has won six of seven career races with his most recent victory coming in the Singspiel (G2) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai off a 13-month layoff.

“He has won on soft ground, and this will give him a chance to gain experience over here,” Appleby said.

In Saturday’s $600,000 Jenny Wiley (G1) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles, the lightly raced English Rose (IRE) will represent Godolphin.

“She is dropping down in trip (from 1 1/8 miles), and it will be a little on the sharper side for her,” Appleby said about English Rose, who has won three of four races. “We are looking toward targets like the ($500,000) Diana (G1) at Saratoga (on July 13 going 1 1/8 miles).”

Appleby has seven runners here, two of which already have run. Musical Act (IRE) was fifth in last Friday’s Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, and Mischief Magic (IRE) was second in last Saturday’s Shakertown (G2). Still to come next weekend are Bold Act (IRE) and Silver Knott (GB) in the VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2).

“They are all looking good, and I am happy with them,” Appleby said.