TURF DIARY
APRIL 7
by Jennifer Caldwell
The Dubai World Cup card dominated the racing world two weeks ago, with Roses
in May (Devil His Due) taking the main event going away. We’ll leave that
talented runner to the Handicap Diary and instead focus on two international
competitors who might have earned a trip to Belmont Park on October 29.
PHOENIX REACH (Ire) (Alhaarth) is no stranger to shipping and winning.
Trained by Andrew Balding, the five-year-old posted a two-length victory in the
Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) after racing in last for much of the about
12-furlong test. Prior to that race, he recorded a half-length win in the Hong
Kong Vase (HK-G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse and in 2003 was winner of the Canadian
International S. (Can-G1) by three parts of a length. The bay has proven himself
against top notch international talent and deserves another chance against the
world’s best.
ELVSTROEM (Danehill) earned his spot in the history books by becoming the
first Australian runner to win a Dubai World Cup race. The Tony Vasil-conditioned
bay was already a multiple Group 1 winner in his native country, scoring in the
C.F. Orr S. (Aus-G1) before his trip to Dubai. Two weeks ago, he proved the
change in climate had no effect on his ability to win going away, recording a 2 3/4-length
victory in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1). The Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) may not be
a possibility, however, as the
five-year-old is currently scheduled to take up stud duties later this year during the southern hemisphere
season at Blue Gum Farm in Victoria, Australia. Elvstroem is supposed to make
his next start in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) on April 24 at Sha
Tin.
On the homefront, INTERPATATION (Langfuhr) earned his first career win in
style, taking the Palm Beach S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park on March 26 by a nose at
38-1. That was only his third turf start and the three-year-old gelding proved
he just needed more ground on the grass to show his true colors. He could
continue to improve throughout the year. MIGHTY BEAU (Rainbow Prospect) started
the action off at Santa Anita the next day, scoring in the 4TH, a downhill turf
allowance, by 1 1/2 lengths wire to wire. The six-year-old veteran garnered a
102 BRIS Speed rating for his win and could show up against graded company again
soon.
ALL THE BOYS (Foreign Survivor) really impressed in the 6TH at Santa Anita on
the same day. The eight-year-old bay has now captured his last four, one of
which resulted in him being claimed by trainer Jeff Mullins. All the Boys
grabbed the lead from the start and set the pace while racing just off the rail
on March 27. At one point, he had an eight-length advantage on his nearest
rivals and easily won by two at the wire under a hand ride. Keep an eye on All
the Boys.
STANLEY PARK (Swain [Ire]) earned the biggest win of his career when taking
the San Luis Rey H. (G2) at Santa Anita, also on March 27. The John Shirreffs
trainee raced near the back of that 1 1/2-mile test while making only his third
start off more than a year layoff. He earned a 104 Speed rating for the one-length
score and could continue to show more after defeating his more highly regarded
rival, METEOR STORM (GB) (Bigstone), who ran second in the San Luis Rey.
NAVESINK RIVER (Unbridled) was making his fourth try on the turf in the Pan
American H. (G2) at Gulfstream Park last Saturday and finally broke through with
a half-length win. The four-year-old rallied from just of the pace and earned a
107 Speed rating, which is only rivaled by the 110 he garnered when finishing
second in the Mac Diarmida H. (G3) in his seasonal bow. With the connections of
Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez, this bay will be tough to deny anywhere he
runs.