A weekend of world-class racing from Dubai to the Louisiana bayous and from Japan to Florida set the stage for much of the year to come.
California Chrome came up a few lengths short in the Dubai World Cup, losing to a veteran with experience over the track. But he’s headed to England to meet top middle-distance grass runners in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Perhaps his owners, the self-styled “Dumb Ass Partners,” will meet Her Majesty the Queen.
Results from the rest of the World Cup card at Meydan also will propel horses to top-level events around the world, possibly including a Kentucky Derby contender or two from Dubai who could take on the winners of Saturday’s Florida and Louisiana Derbies.
There’s a lot to cover and there will be many handicapping quizzes to come, so attend to this:
World Cup night
The fireworks were beyond spectacular, the parties were packed with glamor, the weather cooperated — and the big prize stayed at home.
Prince Bishop had been an also-ran many times over on previous World Cup nights. But this season, on the new Meydan dirt course, he seemed to have turned a corner, finishing second in two top-drawer prep races for the $10 million World Cup itself. Still, even his rider was surprised when the Dubawi gelding shot away from the pack in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths over the American Horse of the Year, California Chrome. The other U.S. hope, Lea, finished third. “He is better than he was,” said winning rider William Buick. “This is just nuts.” Prince Bishop, owned by Sheik Hamdan bin Rasheed al Maktoum, obviously is nearing the end of his career at age 8. But the gelding did venture to England last year after finishing last in the World Cup, so anything is possible for him. California Chrome’s team, which has been wooed by Royal Ascot and Hong Kong, already is ticketed for England. “To send our horse halfway around the world to train on a track that he’s not familiar with and to run that good, I’m very pleased,” said part-owner Steve Coburn. Co-owner Perry Martin and Ascot officials announced Sunday the colt will ship directly to England, where he will prep for the 10-furlong Prince of Wales’s Stakes during the top-hat-and-tails Royal Ascot meeting, likely taking on many of the world’s top middle-distance grass horses. California Chrome’s only win since last year’s Preakness Stakes came on the grass at Del Mar. Martin and Coburn, who bred their rather ordinary mare to a bargain stallion to produce California Chrome, dubbed themselves the “Dumb Ass Partners” and emblazoned a donkey on the back of the silks California Chrome wore to victory in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Dolynia returns to France with a bright prospect as winner of possibly the toughest race of World Cup night, the $6 million, Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic. The 4-year-old filly, who ran fifth in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, triumphed Saturday by 2 1/4 lengths over Flintshire, who was second in that same Arc behind the great Treve. In the wake of those two in the Sheema Classic were Japanese Derby winner One And Only, Hong Kong champion Designs On Rome and U.S. turf champ Main Sequence. Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon said the filly, an Aga Khan homebred by Azamour, finally got what she needed — a stout pace. “It helped a lot because every time in France there is no pace and she has a long acceleration,” he said.
Another French runner, Solow, ran away with the $6 million, Group 1 Dubai Turf, winning by 4 1/4 lengths over British 4-year-old The Grey Gatsby with American hopeful Mshawish third after suffering a bruised foot earlier in the week. Solow, a 5-year-old Singspiel gelding, now has won eight of his last nine races but was stepping way up in class for Saturday’s score. “He is a very good horse,” said winning trainer Freddy Head. “But this was a big test as it was his first Group 1 race. Kevin Ryan, trainer of The Grey Gatsby, said he was pleased with his horse’s first run since last September, a victory in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes. “I’d say we could go on to the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh now and, hopefully, then to Royal Ascot,” he said.
The United States did land one punch on the night as Secret Circle held on to win the $2 million, Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over Hong Kong’s Super Jockey and Rich Tapestry. The 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner turned the trick without trainer Bob Baffert as the frequent Dubai visitor stayed home to tend to his top Kentucky Derby prospects. Secret Circle is a 6-year-old son of Eddington. “He’s a top-class horse,” said winning rider Victor Espinoza. “All his American form proves that and he’s done the same here.”
Sole Power scored for England, finally taking the $1 million, Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint down the straight turf course — in his fifth try — by 1/2 length from Hong Kong’s Peniaphobia. Green Mask was third. Sole Power finished 14th in the 2011 running of the Al Quoz, second in 2012, fourth in 2013 and seventh last year. He was a dismal 12th in his local prep for this year’s running. After that, said jockey Richard Hughes, “I wasn’t strong on him.” But he noted trainer Edward Lynam “has worked on him and whatever he has done has paid off.”
Another old British warrior and world traveler, Brown Panther, produced a strong effort to land the $1 million, Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at 2 miles on the turf. The 7-year-old galloped home 3 1/4 lengths to the good of Star Empire with Ahzeemah third. Brown Panther had most recently been seen finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but beaten only 5 1/2 lengths, and before that won the Group 1 Irish St Leger.
Tamarkuz kicked off the night’s Thoroughbred races with a dramatic win by a short head over Sloan Avenue in the $1 million, Group 2 Godolphin Mile. Free Wheeling was third. Tamarkuz, like Prince Bishop owned by Sheik Hamdan, had been dominant in earlier races at the World Cup Carnival and was a substantial favorite on the night. However, he missed the break, raced behind the leaders and was all out to salvage the win.
The other race on the card was the $2 million, Group II UAE Derby, which leads us right into …
The Road to the Roses
Mubtaahij swept to an easy, 8-lengths victory in Saturday’s $2 million, Group 2 UAE Derby, opening the way to a Kentucky Derby run for an Irish-bred colt owned by a Dubai sheikh, trained by a South African and ridden by a Belgian. The Dubawi colt, with Christophe Soumillon up for trainer Mike de Kock, wasn’t even asked for his best run as he scored his fourth win from five starts in the Dubai season. Maftool, the only horse who has beaten him this year, was second-best on the night, followed by Japanese invader Golden Barrows. American runner My Johnny Be Good beat only one rival. “I was going very easily and as soon as I pressed the button, it was all over,” Soumillon said. “I kept some energy for the future, especially if he goes to the Kentucky Derby.” De Kock added, “He’s a superstar. The horse has given us a chance to go to the Kentucky Derby. That would be a dream. That would be very special.” Which is harder to imagine — Steve Coburn in a top hat, meeting the Queen or Mike de Kock draped in a South African flag while sweeping the U.S. Triple Crown? Discuss.
Meanwhile, the American contenders for the Derby started the serious shakout period on Saturday.
Materiality remained undefeated in three starts by upsetting Upstart in Saturday’s $1 million, Grade I Besilu Stables Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. With John Velazquez up for trainer Todd Pletcher, the Afleet Alex colt went to the lead with Upstart in pursuit and it quickly was a two-horse race. Then it was a one-horse race in the stretch as Materiality pulled clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. After Upstart, it was 12 1/2 lengths back to Ami’s Flatter in third. Materality ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:52.30. The colt won at first asking, going 6 furlongs in the slop at Gulfstream on Jan. 11 and followed that with another easy win over some good rivals, including Stanford, who was second in Saturday’s Louisiana Derby, in the 9-furlongs Islamorada Stakes on March 9. The victory gives Pletcher, already flush with Kentucky Derby contenders, another arrow for that quiver. “You don’t see horses win their second start off of one 6-furlong maiden win and then go a mile and an eighth in exceptional time,” he said. “So I think he stamped himself as a very legitimate horse at that point. But it takes a special one to do that.”
International Star won Saturday’s $750,000, Grade II Louisiana Derby by a neck over Stanford after a long stretch duel. War Story was 4 1/4 lengths farther back in third and Mr Z finished last of nine. International Star is a son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus out of the French Deputy mare Parlez. With Miguel Mena in the irons for trainer Mike Maker, he ran 9 furlongs in 1:50.67. Stanford, breaking from the rail, made all the early going and just missed hanging on. International Star, who started from the outside gate, completed a sweep of the Fair Grounds series for 3-year-olds, adding the Derby to the Grade III LeComte and Grade II Risen Star. “Next stop, Kentucky,” enthused owner Ken Ramsey, who would like nothing better than to add the Run for the Roses to his long list of wins. Mena said he can’t explain International Star’s affinity for the New Orleans strip, where is now is 3-for-3. “I think I might take some of the dirt from Fair Grounds up to Kentucky with us,” the rider quipped. In his only previous effort under the Twin Spires, International Star finished fourth in the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club in late November.
After Saturday’s action, International Star tops the Kentucky Derby points list used to make up the field. He has 171 points. Mubtaahij and Materiality are tied for second and third with 100 points each, followed by Upstart (76), El Kabeir (75), Dortmund (70), Carpe Diem (64), American Pharoah and Itsakockout (60 each) and Firing Line in 10th position with 58.
Those rankings are certain to shift as next weekend’s schedule includes the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland and the Grade I Santa Anita Derby and the Grade I TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The following week is the Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. Each of those earns 100 points for the winner and 40, 20 and 10 for second through fourth.
Kentucky Oaks preps
I’m a Chatterbox scored her third straight victory in Saturday’s $400,000, Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks, leading much of the way and winning by 2 1/2 lengths. Shook Up was second and Forever Unbridled finished third. I’m a Chatterbox, a Munnings filly, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.40 with Florent Geroux in the irons for trainer Larry Jones. She has four wins from six starts and is in the top rank of Kentucky Oaks candidates. “She got a little bored in the last eighth of a mile but she kept running on,” Geroux said. Jones added, “On to Kentucky is the plan.”
Birdatthewire was restrained early in Saturday’s $250,000, Grade II Gulfstream Park Oaks, moved to the far outside turning for home and was up in time to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Eskenformoney. Danessa Deluxe finished third. Ekati’s Phaeton led early but faded late, beating only an eased horse. Birdatthewire, a daughter of Summer Bird, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:47.40 with Irad Ortiz Jr. at the controls. She took four tries to get to the winner’s circle last year, then stepped up to win the Grade II Forward Gal and finish second in the Grade II Davona Dale in her two previous starts this year. “That was so impressive,” said trainer Dale Romans. “Those were good fillies … I’ve had limited success in the Kentucky Oaks. I think I’ve had a third. And that would be a great trophy to have.”
Classic division
While California Chrome’s and Lea’s gallant run in the Dubai World Cup was the big news in this division, some action back home promised the top guns among the older horsesd won’t have free rein for the remainder of the year.
Commissioner bounced back from a subpar effort in a tough Donn Handicap — Lea was second in that one — to win Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Skip Away Stakes at Gulfstream Park by a neck over Sr. Quisqueyano. Encryption was far back in third. Commissioner, a 4-year-old A.P. Indy colt, let Sr. Quisqueyano make the early pace, challenged for the lead early in the stretch run and prevailed after some bumping, finishing 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:58.60 under Javier Castellano. The effort was his best showing since a second-place finish behind Tonalist in last year’s Belmont Stakes.
Call Me George rallied from well off the pace to post a 22-1 upset win in Saturday’s $400,000, Grade II New Orleans Handicap, beating Albano by 1/2 length and the favorite, Moreno, by another head. Call Me George, a 5-year-old son of Point Given, got 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:51.07 with James Graham in the irons, winning for the first time since last July. The horse was claimed twice last year, first for $40,000 at Fair Grounds and, two months later, for $62,500 at Churchill Downs in a race in which he was beaten by 26 1/4 lengths.
Turf
Imagining came from just off the pace to post a mild upset victory in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park, scoring by 3/4 length from Pyrite Mountain. The favorite, Twilight Eclipse, hooked up in a prolonged duel with the winner, yielding in deep stretch to finish third. Imagining, an 8-year-old Phipps Stable homebred son of Giant’s Causeway, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:26.32 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up. Second in this race last year, Imagining had been running in the shadow of Main Sequence through most of 2014.
Chocolate Ride was out in front the whole way in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II Melvin H. Muniz Handicap at Fair Grounds, winning by 1/2 length over the late-running favorite, Slumber. Paroled finished third. Chocolate Ride, a 5-year-old gelding by Candy Ride, ran 1 1/8 miles over firm turf in course-record time of 1:48.18 with Joe Talamo up. It was his third straight win, all in New Orleans, and followed victory in the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap in his previous outing.
Filly & Mare Turf
Beauty Parlor stalked the pace in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park, challenged for the lead after a mile and held off Tabreed at the wire by 1/2 length. Kitten’s Point got show money and the favorite, Riposte, finished fifth. John Velazquez rode the winner, a 4-year-old Elusive Quality filly owned and bred by Joseph Allen and trained by Christophe Clement. She was making her first U.S. start and first since last September after racing in France last year.
Turf mile
Lady Lara rallied from near the back of the pack to win Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II Honey Fox Stakes for fillies and mares by a neck over Sandiva. The favorite, Coffee Clique, finished third, another 1 1/4 lengths in arrears. Lady Lara, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred daughter of Excellent Art, got home in 1:34.03 with Junior Alvarado in the irons. Since arriving from England last fall, she has racked up two wins and a second from three starts for trainer Bill Mott.
War Correspondent rallied by pacesetting Aripeka in the late going to win Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park by a neck over that foe with Grand Tito third. War Correspondent, a lightly raced, 5-year-old son of War Front, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.81 with John Velazquez up. In his last race, he finished third, just 1 length behind Mshawish, in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap going a furlong farther. He has not finished worse than third in eight starts going back to France in 2013.
Sprint
Pants On Fire pressed the pace set by the favorite, Valid, in Saturday’s $100,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park, surged to take a clear lead a furlong from home and held off Confrontation by 1/2 length at the wire. Brothersofthetime was along for third at long odds. Pants On Fire, a 7-year-old son of Jump Start, ran 7 furlongs in 1:24.61 with Paco Lopez up.
Other international:
Japan
Hong Kong’s Aerovelocity rallied gamely between horses in the final 50 yards to narrowly win Sunday’s Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse. Hakusan Moon appeared to have the race in hand but could not withstand the withering charge of the winner, finishing 1/2 length back. Mikki Isle was third, followed by Sudden Storm and Copano Richard. Aerovelocity, with Zac Purton riding for trainer Paul O’Sullivan, was always prominent in the race, run over good turf in a drizzle. In the straight, he drifted out toward the middle of the track, losing some ground, and needed another push at the end to secure the win. He finished the 1,200 meters in 1:08.5. In December, Aerovelocity landed the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint by a neck over Peniaphobia, who on Saturday finished second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. Aerovelocity then must missed by a short head to Gold-Fun in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in February. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen is the third leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, which offers a US$1 million bonus to a horse winning three of the 10 races in three different jurisdictions. With future legs in Singapore and Hong Kong, the door is open to Aerovelocity.
Australia
Godolphin couldn’t land the big race at home on Saturday but did get the top prize at Rosehill in Australia as Hartnell, with James McDonald riding, held off Japanese hope To The World and scored by 1 1/4 lengths in the Group 1 The BMW. Beaten Up, an extreme outsider, led with a furlong and a half to run and held on to finish third. Hartnell, a 4-year-old colt by Authorized, won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last June and the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket before heading down under. The BMW was his second straight win for trainer John O’Shea, the first coming two weeks earlier over the same course.
In other races on the Rosehill card, Fenway won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over heavy favorite First Seal and Godolphin, O’Shea and McDonald also landed the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings with Hauraki, a
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