FIRST TURN
APRIL 1, 2005
Turkish sensation has racing world abuzz
by James Scully
Beware American racing fans, NISAN ONE SAKASI arrives in the United States
on Friday and is expected to have a big impact. Already recognized as by far the
greatest Thoroughbred ever produced in Turkey, he’s been labeled the Asian Phar
Lap and is lovingly called “Direk” in his native land, which translates to
pole in English, because the Turkish superstar
wins every start by at
least a pole. Owner of all the major racing prizes at home as well as numerous
track records, the five-year-old is expected to go after some of the biggest
U.S. races on the 2005 calendar.
Previously based at Valsalva Racecourse near Istanbul, Nisan One Sakasi isn’t coming to America alone. His
famous connections, jockey Bulent Yanal and trainer Fehmi Seyhan, will be on hand for all of his
starts.
Yanal is more than his nation’s top jockey. He’s a popular motion
picture and T.V. star who released his first album, which includes a ballad
about Nisan One Sakasi’s exploits, earlier this year. Seyhan is a legendary horseman
in the Eurasian region.
He made a name for himself leading an equine brigade during the Miltberle War in
the 1960s and has trained nine of the last 14 Horse of the Year winners in
Turkey, including Nisan One Sakasi the past three seasons.
Owner Serhat Penbe has refused invitations from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and
other countries, instead choosing to try his superstar against the best in America. His rationale is that
Nisan One Sakasi’s natural speed is better
suited for dirt (he’s terrific on both surfaces), and he has a unique plan for deciding
upon where to run at
first.
Once Nisan One Sakasi clears quarantine, Penbe will ship him to the major tracks in
New York, California and Kentucky. A former world-class equestrian rider
himself, Penbe will then gallop Nisan One Sakasi over each oval to determine what surface
is most
favorable for his runner. He’ll keep detailed notes and will even ship back
for another test gallop if weather conditions result in a drastic change to a
certain track. If his innovative track testing scheme pays off, Penbe could
become known as “The Mad Genius from Turkey.”
I’ll be rooting for the Turkish sensation and can hardly wait to see his first U.S. appearance. Let the hype machine begin,
because Nisan One Sakasi is here.