SPRINT DIARY
APRIL 6, 2006
by Jordan Strickler
It was American domination in the deserts of Dubai on March 25. The United
States-based runners brought home the gold, silver, bronze and then some in the
Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) as PROUD TOWER TOO (Proud Irish) led the American
contingent under the wire, followed by THOR’S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler), JET WEST
(Western Fame), CAPTAIN SQUIRE (Flying Chevron) and GAFF (Maria’s Mon).
“I can’t even explain how this feels; it means the world,”
winning jockey David Cohen said after the race. “This horse has taken me to my
first major stakes win, my first Grade 1 win and now has brought me here. You
can’t get better than this.”
Winner of the Malibu S. (G1) in late December, Proud Tower Too got out to the early lead in the about
six-furlong Golden Shaheen, setting splits of :13 2/5, :23 3/5, :34 and :45.
Thor’s Echo stuck his head in front briefly, but was not able to hold on as the
Sal Gonzalez-trained four-year-old completed the test in 1:09 4/5.
Coming up this week, we have the $300,000 Carter H. (G1) at
Aqueduct with eight contestants entered in the seven-furlong event. Highlighting
the Carter is Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) hero SILVER TRAIN (Old Trieste), who
hopes to improve off a seventh in the Richter Scale Breeders’ Cup
Sprint Championship H. (G2) early last month at Gulfstream Park.
Trainer Richard Dutrow also has entered CALL THE LORD (Lord
Carson) (who is owned by the same connections as Silver Train) and KAZOO
(Tabasco Cat) to the Carter. Both possess early speed and a pressured pace with
these two could deal a tough hand to BISHOP COURT HILL (Holy Bull), a confirmed
front runner, or HAPPY HUNTING (Seeking the Gold),
who also likes to compete for the early lead.
Still, look out for Forego S. (G1) winner MASS MEDIA (Touch
Gold), who has a good late kick that could put him into contention in the late
going. Although coming off a four-month-layoff, trainer Bobby Frankel has him
looking sharp and the five-year-old dark bay could pull off another win here.
Also on Saturday at Aqueduct is the $150,000 Bay Shore S. (G3) at seven
furlongs. Although TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) might seem to have it wrapped up
before the race even starts, look out for Whirlaway S. runner-up ONE WAY FLIGHT
(Precise End) and maiden winner SONGSTER (Songandaprayer), who was just beaten
in the final strides of an allowance contest last out by eventual Spectacular
Bid S. winner Exclusive Quality (Elusive Quality). Both have good early speed and
are capable of going seven-eighths of a mile.
One young horse which has caught my eye in the past few weeks in
SMOKEY STOVER (Put it Back). In February of this year, the young three-year-old
captured his career debut by 2 1/2 lengths at Golden Gate Fields at six furlongs
and came home a neck second when testing allowance/optional claiming company his
next race out. Most recently, the dark bay dominated his rivals in the Stinson
Beach S. at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday, also at three-quarters of a mile.
“He came out fine,” trainer Greg Gilchrist said. “His next work
will be in a couple of weeks. I’m looking up the road for his next race.”
Gilchrist indicated that he planed on stretching the sophomore
out for his next contest, possibly to seven furlongs to see how the gelding
fares at longer distances.
A more famous sprinter in Gilchrist’s shedrow, LOST IN
THE FOG (Lost Soldier), is also reportedly in good condition.
“We’ll get through the first race (the Golden Gate Fields Sprint
H. on April 22) to see if he is the same horse as last year,” Gilchrist commented.
The overall goal for the four-year-old dark bay is once again
the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Depending on how the colt
does in the Golden Gate Fields Sprint, Gilchrist said he plans to run Lost in the Fog in
four or five races leading up to the big dance, which will take place at
Churchill Downs this year on November 4.