NEWS
Gayego to make 2010 debut in Al Shindagha Sprint
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 4:23 PM
GAYEGO
Benoit & Associates photo
by Mike Curry
Grade 1 winner Gayego is on target to make his season debut on Thursday at Meydan Racecourse in the $250,000 XPRESS Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3).
The 1,200-meter (5.97-furlong) contest on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface serves as a prep race for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) at the same distance on March 27.
Gayego has not raced since finishing fourth in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on November 7 during the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting. Gayego was beaten by a neck in a blanket finish in the Sprint. He won the Ancient Title Stakes (G1) in his final tuneup for the Breeders’ Cup.
Saeed bin Suroor trains the five-year-old Gilded Time horse for owner Godolphin Racing. Gayego won the Dayjur Mahab Al Shimaal (UAE-G3) last year at Nad al Sheba racecourse before a runner-up finish in the Etisalat Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2).
The Al Shindagha Sprint also drew South African multiple Group 1 winner Our Giant, who will make his first start for trainer Mike de Kock; and South African Group 1 winner War Artist, runner-up in the 2008 Golden Jubilee Stakes (Eng-G1) and third in last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Fr-G1). The Al Shindagha Sprint drew a full field of 12 horses, plus four also-eligible entrants.
De Kock will saddle highly regarded Raihana for the $250,000 Gulf News United Arab Emirates One Thousand Guineas, the co-feature on Thursday’s card at Meydan. The Elusive Quality filly enters the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) Dubai classic off a dominant 3 1/4-length score on January 28, opening day of the Dubai International Racing Carnival. The One Thousand Guineas drew 15 entrants with the field capped at 14 starters.
Multiple Group 1 winner Quijano will make his 2010 debut is a 2,485-meter (12.35-furlong) turf race that also drew 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-G3) third-place finisher Mourilyan, 2008 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner Frozen Fire, and multiple group stakes winner Halicarnassus. The $175,000 handicap drew ten entrants.
Group 3 winner Golden Sword, runner-up in the 2009 Irish Derby, is one of 12 horses slated to contest a 1,800-meter (8.95-furlong) turf handicap on Thursday’s card.
For Thursday’s entries, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
