El Kabeir proved much the best against eight three-year-old rivals in
Hero of the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in his juvenile finale in
Tracking in third as Ostrolenka rattled off fractions of :23 3/5, :48 2/5,
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“I had a good trip. He tried to beat the gate and stumbled a little bit
leaving there, but I gathered him up,” said jockey Chuck Lopez, who was
substituting for Calvin Borel. “I never panicked; I was riding the best horse in
the race. I just bided my time, and when I was ready, I pushed the accelerator
and he went.
“I think he’ll go further as he develops. He won pretty easily and switched
off after he got past, so he was kind of cool. I hope I get to ride him
(again).”
El Kabeir completed one mile and 70 yards over the good inner dirt in 1:44
3/5 and paid $4.90 as the 7-5 favorite.
Nasa finished second, 7 3/4 lengths clear of longshot General Bellamy, who
was followed by Ackeret, Ostrolenka, Mini Cosmo, Now We Are Free, and Royal
Burgh. Tencendur was scratched.
“It’s a long way away, but as long as he stays healthy, we have a runner
here. Let’s hope we continue on this path,” said trainer John Terranova, who
trains El Kabeir for Zayat Stables. “It was nice seeing him sit off horses for
the first time. I was kind of curious about that because I didn’t know if that
scenario played out how he’d react this time, but certainly it worked out fine.
That’s what we’ve been seeing in the mornings; his maturity level has just
gotten (better). He’s gotten a bit more focused and is doing everything a bit
better and more productive in his training. He’s always had the talent but
everything has been focused in the right direction.”
“That’s the whole key with these young, fast three-year-olds, is if they’re
going to be able to relax enough to stretch out and carry it. He’s certainly
bred to, and he trains like he should. We’ll see; hopefully he’ll keep
progressing. He’s gotten bigger and more filled out since the Kentucky race.
He’s eating like there’s no tomorrow. He’s thriving off running.”
“Obviously we’ll discuss it with the Zayat family, see what everyone feels is
best and try to make the best call where to race. It may be the Withers back
here (on February 7) or maybe we’ll skip it and go to the Gotham (on March 7),
maybe we’ll go out of town, but I have no problems staying here. I love having
horses here in New York. He’s thriving and he’s got a great foundation under him
now.”
Third to the highly-rated Blofeld in his debut at Saratoga on August 14, El
Kabeir returned 16 days later to break his maiden by 10 3/4 lengths going seven
furlongs at the same venue. A distant fourth in the Champagne at Belmont next
out, he was subsequently second to Blofeld in the Nashua at Aqueduct before
taking the Kentucky Jockey Club by a head on November 29. His record now stands
at 6-3-1-1, $388,892.
Bred in Florida by Rustlewood Farm, El Kabeir was a $250,000 OBS August
yearling purchase. He was produced by the Scat Daddy mare Great Venue, and his
second dam was the prolific Ohio-bred producer Rose Colored Lady, whose
offspring include multiple Grade 2 winner Too Much Bling.
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