Big City Man wins the 2009 Dubai Golden Shaheen
Big City Man wins the 2009 Dubai Golden Shaheen
March 28, 2009 The Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) is the shortest race on the World Cup card, a 1200 meter (6 furlong) dash on the straight dirt course at Nad al Sheba. 12 runners entered this event, with La Brea Stakes winner Indian Blessing sent off as the 11-8 favorite in her first start against males. Two horses were sent off at 11-2 on the toteboard: locally trained Big City Man, second in the Mahab Al Shimaal, the major local prep for this race after winning the Al Shindagha Sprint, and Europe's champion sprinter Marchand D'Or, sixth in the Hong Kong Sprint last out after winning the Prix de l'Abbaye in October.
Lucky Quality was quickest away to set the pace on the near side through an opening quarter of 23.56 with Indian Blessing and Hammadi stalking him on that side of the track. Big City Man and Diabolical stayed close to the pace on the far side. Exiting the chute, Force Freeze, who was slow out of the gate, gained on the pacesetters and poked his head in front with Indian Blessing still in contention. Indian Blessing shook him off and got her nose in front at the 1/4 pole, getting the half mile in 45.05, but Big City Man came on again and pulled away from the favorite over the final 1/16 to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:08.93 over the fast track. It was a long 5 lengths back to Diabolical third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Big City Man returns after the race
Winning trainer Jerry Barton said, Jerry Barton added, "It is an exciting win for us. The crew worked really hard and Big City Man is a great horse. We have been trying for a few years. I have trained a second in the World Cup and one in the UAE Derby but this was our first big night winner."
Jockey Jose Verenzuela added, "I was very confident going into the race. I know the horse well and we'd planned for this race and this night.
I did see Indian Blessing coming up but I knew I had it. Everything went perfectly. I’m very, very happy."
Golden Shaheen runner-up Indian Blessing
Jockey Edgar Prado said, "My filly was trying really hard. Every time I asked her for something she was giving it to me." Prado replaced regular rider John Velazquez who stayed at Gulfstream Park to ride Quality Road to victory in the Florida Derby.
Regal Ransom wins the 2009 UAE Derby
The $2 million U.A.E. Derby (G2) is an 1800 meter (1 1/8 mile) event over the main dirt track at Nad al Sheba, restricted to Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and Southern Hemisphere 4-year-olds. 12 were entered, with Godolphin's main Kentucky Derby hope Desert Party sent off as the 2-5 choice, having won the Ford Flex Trophy in January and the UAE 2000 Guineas in February. In to challenge the stable star included 10-1 second choice Naval Officer, third in the Meydan Classic on the turf after winning the Prix de Conde at Longchamp, and 14-1 Jose Adan, second in the Al Bastakiya last time out.
Regal Ransom and So Shiny dueled for the lead for the first 3/4 mile, through fractions of 24.64, 48.15, and 1:13.06, while Desert Party sat in mid-pack saving ground down on the rail early. Turning for home, So Shiny tired allowing Regal Ransom to take over the undisputed lead, getting the mile in 1:37.39. Jockey Frankie Dettori took Desert Party out and asked him for run at the 5/16 pole, as the favorite closed strongly on his stablemate. However, Regal Ransom held him off by just 1/2 a length at the line, getting the distance in 1:50.00 over the fast track. It was a long 15 lengths back to late running Soy Libriano in third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Regal Ransom returns after the race
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor added, "I always said this horse could be a surprise horse, I am happy with that, and we will see (about the Kentucky Derby) as there is no plan yet for him."
Jockey Alan Garcia added, "I am so happy that I got the opportunity to ride and the plan worked perfectly. He relaxed in front and when the other horse came to him, he dug deep and found a bit more. This is my first experience of the Dubai World Cup and it is awesome."
UAE Derby runner-up Desert Party
Jockey Frankie Dettori said, "He ran flat. We beat the winner 4 3/4 lengths last time, but tonight I just could not get to him."
Both Desert Party and Regal Ransom will be sent to Kentucky according to Racing manager Simon Crisford.
Two Step Salsa wins the 2009 Godolphin Mile
The first Thoroughbred stakes race on Dubai World Cup night is the $1 million Godolphin Mile, a 1600 meter (1 mile) race for older horses around one turn of the main track at Nad al Sheba. Godolphin entrant Two Step Salsa sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the field of 15, exiting a win in the Etisalat Wasel Trophy last time out. Stablemate Gayego, winner of the Mahab Al Shimaal, was the 3-1 second choice over 9-1 third choice Kalahari Gold, third in the Zabeel Mile in his last start.
Two Step Salsa and Cat Junior battled for the lead through fractions of 24.73 and 47.71 with Dijeerr and Art of War stalking them for the first 6f. Entering the stretch, jockey Frankie Dettori asked Two Step Salsa for run and got it, as the favorite opened a clear lead in mid-stretch through 3/4 in 1:11.54. Gayego, who sat in mid-pack early, came out for the drive and closed well through the lane, but he was left with too much ground to make up, as Two Step Salsa cruised under the line 2 1/4 lengths in front in 1:36.82 over the fast track. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to late-running Don Renato third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Two Step Salsa heads for the winner's circle
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "I'm really happy with Frankie and I told him to ride him like that. We'll now take Two Step Salsa back to New York and try to find a race for him there."
Jockey Frankie Dettori added, "I was lucky that they allowed me a soft lead in front and nothing was snapping at my heels, but this is a good horse and he quickened up really well. I hoped I was on the right one, and fortunately I was.
It's a long straight here and I was running out of petrol, but he had enough to win the race."
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said, "They both came here with good form from America and we expected a 1-2. It was never going to be easy, but they did it well."
Gayego's jockey Ted Durcan added, "No excuses; he ran great and stayed on really well but the winner just had that bit more foot."
The first race of the evening was the $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) for Purebred Arabians, contested at the World Cup distance of 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Amoking led the field through fractions of 27.15, 52.87, and 1:20.37 while being stalked by Vite Royale. Turning for home, Fryvolous, who had raced in mid-pack for the first 3/4 mile, came on to challenge for the lead and took over with 5/16 mile remaining, getting the mile in 1:48.28.
Nil Blanc, who was last early, put in a strong rally late but was no match for Fryvolous who cruised under the line 3 1/2 lengths in front, completing the distance in 2:16.25. It was a long 12 lengths back to Paris Gagner third. There was no wagering on this race from North America.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Winning trainer Rod Simpson said, "This horse is pure class and the jockey gave it some ride. Daragh O'Donohoe should have been champion jockey and he is now in my eyes."
Jockey Daragh O'Donohoe added, "He traveled great, but I wasn't sure that he would get the trip, though Rod was never in any doubt; so I took my time and when I pressed the button, whoosh, he took off."
March 28, 2009 The Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) is the shortest race on the World Cup card, a 1200 meter (6 furlong) dash on the straight dirt course at Nad al Sheba. 12 runners entered this event, with La Brea Stakes winner Indian Blessing sent off as the 11-8 favorite in her first start against males. Two horses were sent off at 11-2 on the toteboard: locally trained Big City Man, second in the Mahab Al Shimaal, the major local prep for this race after winning the Al Shindagha Sprint, and Europe's champion sprinter Marchand D'Or, sixth in the Hong Kong Sprint last out after winning the Prix de l'Abbaye in October.
Lucky Quality was quickest away to set the pace on the near side through an opening quarter of 23.56 with Indian Blessing and Hammadi stalking him on that side of the track. Big City Man and Diabolical stayed close to the pace on the far side. Exiting the chute, Force Freeze, who was slow out of the gate, gained on the pacesetters and poked his head in front with Indian Blessing still in contention. Indian Blessing shook him off and got her nose in front at the 1/4 pole, getting the half mile in 45.05, but Big City Man came on again and pulled away from the favorite over the final 1/16 to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:08.93 over the fast track. It was a long 5 lengths back to Diabolical third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Big City Man returns after the race
Winning trainer Jerry Barton said, Jerry Barton added, "It is an exciting win for us. The crew worked really hard and Big City Man is a great horse. We have been trying for a few years. I have trained a second in the World Cup and one in the UAE Derby but this was our first big night winner."
Jockey Jose Verenzuela added, "I was very confident going into the race. I know the horse well and we'd planned for this race and this night.
I did see Indian Blessing coming up but I knew I had it. Everything went perfectly. I’m very, very happy."
Golden Shaheen runner-up Indian Blessing
Jockey Edgar Prado said, "My filly was trying really hard. Every time I asked her for something she was giving it to me." Prado replaced regular rider John Velazquez who stayed at Gulfstream Park to ride Quality Road to victory in the Florida Derby.
Regal Ransom wins the 2009 UAE Derby
The $2 million U.A.E. Derby (G2) is an 1800 meter (1 1/8 mile) event over the main dirt track at Nad al Sheba, restricted to Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and Southern Hemisphere 4-year-olds. 12 were entered, with Godolphin's main Kentucky Derby hope Desert Party sent off as the 2-5 choice, having won the Ford Flex Trophy in January and the UAE 2000 Guineas in February. In to challenge the stable star included 10-1 second choice Naval Officer, third in the Meydan Classic on the turf after winning the Prix de Conde at Longchamp, and 14-1 Jose Adan, second in the Al Bastakiya last time out.
Regal Ransom and So Shiny dueled for the lead for the first 3/4 mile, through fractions of 24.64, 48.15, and 1:13.06, while Desert Party sat in mid-pack saving ground down on the rail early. Turning for home, So Shiny tired allowing Regal Ransom to take over the undisputed lead, getting the mile in 1:37.39. Jockey Frankie Dettori took Desert Party out and asked him for run at the 5/16 pole, as the favorite closed strongly on his stablemate. However, Regal Ransom held him off by just 1/2 a length at the line, getting the distance in 1:50.00 over the fast track. It was a long 15 lengths back to late running Soy Libriano in third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Regal Ransom returns after the race
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor added, "I always said this horse could be a surprise horse, I am happy with that, and we will see (about the Kentucky Derby) as there is no plan yet for him."
Jockey Alan Garcia added, "I am so happy that I got the opportunity to ride and the plan worked perfectly. He relaxed in front and when the other horse came to him, he dug deep and found a bit more. This is my first experience of the Dubai World Cup and it is awesome."
UAE Derby runner-up Desert Party
Jockey Frankie Dettori said, "He ran flat. We beat the winner 4 3/4 lengths last time, but tonight I just could not get to him."
Both Desert Party and Regal Ransom will be sent to Kentucky according to Racing manager Simon Crisford.
Two Step Salsa wins the 2009 Godolphin Mile
The first Thoroughbred stakes race on Dubai World Cup night is the $1 million Godolphin Mile, a 1600 meter (1 mile) race for older horses around one turn of the main track at Nad al Sheba. Godolphin entrant Two Step Salsa sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the field of 15, exiting a win in the Etisalat Wasel Trophy last time out. Stablemate Gayego, winner of the Mahab Al Shimaal, was the 3-1 second choice over 9-1 third choice Kalahari Gold, third in the Zabeel Mile in his last start.
Two Step Salsa and Cat Junior battled for the lead through fractions of 24.73 and 47.71 with Dijeerr and Art of War stalking them for the first 6f. Entering the stretch, jockey Frankie Dettori asked Two Step Salsa for run and got it, as the favorite opened a clear lead in mid-stretch through 3/4 in 1:11.54. Gayego, who sat in mid-pack early, came out for the drive and closed well through the lane, but he was left with too much ground to make up, as Two Step Salsa cruised under the line 2 1/4 lengths in front in 1:36.82 over the fast track. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to late-running Don Renato third.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Two Step Salsa heads for the winner's circle
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "I'm really happy with Frankie and I told him to ride him like that. We'll now take Two Step Salsa back to New York and try to find a race for him there."
Jockey Frankie Dettori added, "I was lucky that they allowed me a soft lead in front and nothing was snapping at my heels, but this is a good horse and he quickened up really well. I hoped I was on the right one, and fortunately I was.
It's a long straight here and I was running out of petrol, but he had enough to win the race."
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said, "They both came here with good form from America and we expected a 1-2. It was never going to be easy, but they did it well."
Gayego's jockey Ted Durcan added, "No excuses; he ran great and stayed on really well but the winner just had that bit more foot."
The first race of the evening was the $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) for Purebred Arabians, contested at the World Cup distance of 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Amoking led the field through fractions of 27.15, 52.87, and 1:20.37 while being stalked by Vite Royale. Turning for home, Fryvolous, who had raced in mid-pack for the first 3/4 mile, came on to challenge for the lead and took over with 5/16 mile remaining, getting the mile in 1:48.28.
Nil Blanc, who was last early, put in a strong rally late but was no match for Fryvolous who cruised under the line 3 1/2 lengths in front, completing the distance in 2:16.25. It was a long 12 lengths back to Paris Gagner third. There was no wagering on this race from North America.
Results chart - from Emirates Racing Authority
Winning trainer Rod Simpson said, "This horse is pure class and the jockey gave it some ride. Daragh O'Donohoe should have been champion jockey and he is now in my eyes."
Jockey Daragh O'Donohoe added, "He traveled great, but I wasn't sure that he would get the trip, though Rod was never in any doubt; so I took my time and when I pressed the button, whoosh, he took off."
