NEWS
Godolphin duo sharp in final workouts
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:02 PM
DESERT PARTY
PhotosByZ.com
by Jeff Lowe
Desert Party and Regal Ransom were sharp in their final workouts for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday morning as Godolphin Racing zeroes in on a return to America’s signature race.
The top two finishers in the S & M al Naboodah Group United Arab Emirates Derby (UAE-G2) (click here for video of the UAE Derby) accounted for the fastest times at five furlongs on a warm, cloudless morning.
UAE Derby winner Regal Ransom went to the track when it opened at 6 a.m. EDT and covered five furlongs in :59.20, which held up as the best time among 30 workouts at the distance.
Following the renovation break, Desert Party breezed five furlongs in :59.60. Exercise rider Bob Chapman rode both colts.
After overseeing their preparations in person for the last three mornings, trainer Saeed bin Suroor is convinced that the duo represents Godolphin’s best chance at a Derby victory after failing to hit the board with five previous starters.
Godolphin has been absent from the United States Triple Crown since Essence Dubai finished ninth in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
“They look, to me, much better than they were in Dubai,” Suroor said. “They always worked nicely in Dubai but they look much better than ever. I can’t guarantee they’re going to win but I think we have horses that are going in the right way. … They’re really in good form, both of them. The group we have this year, they’re much better than we’ve seen in the past.”
Suroor referred to the Derby several times as the best race in the world and the hardest to win, and he acknowledged winning the classic has been the ambition of Godolphin principal Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum since the stable first participated in the Derby in 1999.
Suroor was not certain whether Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and vice president of the United Arab Emirates, would make the trip for the Derby.
"I hope he makes it,” Suroor said of Sheikh Mohammed, who was a part owner of Arazi, the 1991 champion two-year-old male who finished eighth at the 9-to-10 favorite in the ‘92 Kentucky Derby. “He's a big supporter of American racing. [If he comes], he'd be coming to see them run and to see them run well. He's very busy with things in Dubai, but we have high expectations.”
Desert Party and Regal Ransom will be racing against each other for the fourth time this year. Desert Party reeled in his stablemate the first two times, winning an allowance race by a half-length on January 22 and the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) (click here for video of the UAE Two Thousands Guineas) by 4¾ lengths on February 12.
In the UAE Derby, Regal Ransom turned heavily favored Desert Party away in the stretch to win by a half-length at 13-to-1 odds.
Suroor said their running styles reflect their demeanors.
“Desert Party is a very calm horse, always very professional,” he said. “He’s learned a lot and is very similar to his daddy, Street Cry (Ire). He’s easy to train, both physically and mentally.
“Regal Ransom always has been keen when he trains in the morning and in his work,” Suroor continued. “That’s why we took him out early today, at 6 a.m., just to see him nice and relaxed. He’s always showed a nice turn of foot and plenty of speed. If he sits like second, I would be happy with that.”
Jeff Lowe is a THOROUGHBRED TIMES staff writer
Dubai road to Kentucky Derby
Godolphin Racing’s five previous starters
|
Year |
Horse |
Credential |
Kentucky Derby finish |
Post Derby |
|
2002 |
Essence of Dubai |
Won UAE Derby |
9th |
Won Super Derby (G2) |
|
2001 |
Express Tour |
Won UAE Derby |
8th |
Won Jerome H. (G2) |
|
2000 |
China Visit |
Won UAE Derby |
6th |
French Group 2 winner |
|
|
Curule |
3rd UAE Derby |
7th |
Grade/Group 2-placed |
|
1999 |
Worldly Manner |
Won Del Mar Futurity (G2) |
7th |
Winless in five starts |
