Regal Ransom crashes UAE Derby party

Last updated: 3/28/09 8:22 PM

Regal Ransom turned the tables on Desert Party
(Dubai Racing Club)

Godolphin’s REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) had played second fiddle to his
more highly regarded stablemate Desert Party (Street Cry [Ire]) in both of his
outings this season, but the understudy managed to serve up a plot twist in
Saturday’s $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba.

Unlike a January 22 conditions race, and the February 12 U.A.E. Two Thousand
Guineas (UAE-G3), when Regal Ransom pressed the pace before being overwhelmed by
Desert Party in the stretch, this time the pace factor did not tire late.

Piloted by Alan Garcia for the first time since his juvenile days with Kiaran
McLaughlin, Regal Ransom vied for the lead with the Argentinean-bred filly So
Shiny (Indygo Shiner) through steady fractions of :24 3/5, :48 and 1:13. Meanwhile, Desert Party enjoyed a ground-saving trip a
few lengths back beneath a patient Frankie Dettori.

Regal Ransom took command turning for home, and lengthening stride
beautifully, he dared his pursuers to catch him. By this time, Dettori had
maneuvered Desert Party into the clear and set him down for the drive. Although
the heavy favorite steadily reduced the deficit and drew up to Regal Ransom’s
flank, he could not do enough to reel in the driving winner, who held on by a
diminishing half-length at the wire. The final time for about 1 1/8 miles on the
fast track was 1:50.

“I am so happy that I got the opportunity to ride and the plan worked
perfectly,” Garcia said. “Regal Ransom enjoyed being out in front, and, though I
saw Frankie coming, I knew I had more horse left. He dug deep and found a bit
more.

“I won on my first Breeders’ Cup ride, Lahudood (GB) in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1)
18 months ago, and now I’ve done the same at the World Cup meeting,” Garcia
continued. “This is my first experience of the Dubai World Cup and it is
awesome.”

While Garcia was celebrating the victory, Dettori was shaking his head at the
finish.

Sheikh Mohammed could return to the Kentucky Derby
(Dubai Racing Club)

“We beat Regal Ransom by 4 3/4 lengths in the U.A.E. Two
Thousand Guineas, but (Desert Party) ran flat tonight and I could never get to
him,” Dettori explained. “I was only half a length down at the two-furlong pole,
but he had no fizz.”

With Regal Ransom’s victory in the U.A.E. Derby, Godolphin’s Kentucky Derby
(G1) plans may have to be altered.

“I always said this horse could be a surprise horse,” trainer Saeed bin
Surror said. “I am happy with that, (but) we’ll see (in terms of the Kentucky
Derby); no plan (yet, for the Derby).”

The Godolphin pair dominated the event, for it was 15 lengths back to Soy
Libriano (Ride the Rails) in third. So Shiny checked in fourth. Lelah Dorak (Freequent
[GB]), Naval Officer (Tale of the Cat), Redding Colliery (Mineshaft), Jose Adan
(Crypto Star), Ra Junior (Rahy), Balcarce Nov (Romanov [Ire]), I Am the Best
(King’s Best) and Muy Ponderado (Mutakddim) rounded out the order of finish.
Paso de Gloria (Honour and Glory) was scratched.

Regal Ransom boosted his bankroll to $1,297,200 from a record of 5-2-2-0.
Last season, before joining Godolphin, the dark bay was a smart debut winner at
Saratoga. That effort earned him 7-5 favoritism in the Norfolk S. (G1), where he
retreated to eighth.

Bred by Diamond A Racing Corp. in Kentucky, Regal Ransom was a $675,000
two-year-old in training purchase at Fasig-Tipton Calder. He was produced by the
Red Ransom mare Kelli’s Ransom, who is also responsible for an unnamed juvenile
filly by Malibu Moon and a yearling colt by Grand Slam. Kelli’s Ransom, a
half-sister to Grade 2 victor Minister Eric (Old Trieste), comes from the family
of last year’s Canadian champion older horse, Marchfield (A.P. Indy).