NEWS
Two Step Salsa takes Godolphin Mile
Posted: Saturday, March 28, 2009 9:55 AM
TWO STEP SALSA
Andrew Watkins/Dubai World Cup photo
by Mike Curry
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing operation got away to a sizzling start on Saturday at the 2009 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), sweeping the top two spots with Two Step Salsa and Gayego in the $1-million Etisalat Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba racecourse.
Godolphin earned its first win on the World Cup card since 2006, when Electrocutionist won the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) and Discreet Cat won the S & M al Naboodah Group United Arab Emirates Derby (UAE-G2). The Dubai World Cup card was held for the last time at Nad al Sheba as next year’s card is slated to move to the multi-billion-dollar Meydan Racecourse.
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said he was happy to start with a victory.
“It’s great to see Godolphin win a race here in our last season at Nad al Sheba,” Suroor said.
A multiple graded stakes winner in the United States, Two Step Salsa entered off a comfortable 3 1/2-length win in the 1,200-meter (5.97-furlong) Etisalat Wasel Trophy on February 20 at Nad al Sheba. He broke alertly under Frankie Dettori in the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) Godolphin Mile and quickly seized command on the backstretch.
Moving easily on the turn, the four-year-old Petionville colt spurted away and opened a commanding lead. Gayego, winner of the 2008 Arkansas Derby (G2), closed willingly on the outside after a stalking trip under Ted Durcan but Two Step Salsa turned back the bid to prevail in 1:36.82 on a track rated as fast.
“It’s a long straight for him,” Dettori said. “I was running out of petrol but he had enough left to win the race.”
Out of the Seattle Slew mare Two to Waltz, Two Step Salsa improved to six wins in ten starts and boosted his earnings to $1,070,540.
Gayego finished 2 1/4 lengths back in second, followed by Chilean classic winner Don Renato. Suroor said both Two Step Salsa and Gayego will be pointed to the Shadwell Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on May 25 at Belmont Park.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
