Any qualms about post 14, or a potentially speed-favoring Meydan, proved unfounded as Mind Your Biscuits steamed to a three-length victory in Saturday’s $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). In the process, the New York-bred became a memorable first winner for new trainer Chad Summers.
Setting the standard on form as the Malibu (G1) winner and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up for previous conditioner Robert Falcone Jr., the 9-5 favorite bided his time at the back of the pack early. Jockey Joel Rosario had little choice but to take the overland route into the stretch, fanning well out wide. But Mind Your Biscuits turned on the engine late to mow down the leaders and win going away, completing about six furlongs at an uncharacteristically muddy Meydan in 1:10.91.
Godolphin’s Comicas snatched second from early stalker Morawij, who finished third in this race for the second straight year. St. Joe Bay reported home fourth after forcing the pace on the outside. Cool Cowboy, who cost himself early position with a stumble at the start, was a rattling fifth. Stallwalkin’ Dude was sixth, 11-year-old Reynaldothewizard was below his best in eighth, and defending champion Muarrab trailed in the field of 14.
Campaigned by J Stables LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC and M. Scott Summers et al, Mind Your Biscuits improved his record to 15-5-6-2, $2,015,166. The Posse colt also landed last year’s Amsterdam (G2) at Saratoga, and he was exiting a near-miss to Unified in the February 25 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3).
Quotes from Dubai Racing Club
Winning rider Joel Rosario on Mind Your Biscuits: “The post position was way outside. I think I got some ground in the turn, not much and then for a second I thought we might not get there. But he showed that he was the best horse in the race.
“I was so wide on the outside. I was thinking ‘is this is going to work’? But as I said he was the best horse in the race and I’m proud of him. He’d showed us the last couple of times, he ran very well in the Breeders’ Cup and he won the Malibu, it was a very good race in America. And every time he runs he improves a little bit more.”
Trainer Chad Summers: “This is what we planned. It’s a storybook ending to a story. It’s a remarkable horse and it was a remarkable ride. I think he is the best sprinter in the country, in the world. He proved it today. It’s unbelievable. Everything here is first class, it means a lot.”
Jockey William Buick on runner-up Comicas: “He’s run very well and it was a lifetime best from him. We were posted out quite deep which helped him in a way as we got a good run through, no kickback and no pressure early. You’d have to be very pleased with him and be very hopeful for next year in Dubai.”
Jockey Chris Hayes on third-placer Morawij: “I’m delighted with him. The telling factor was that he didn’t face the kickback. It was his first time with that sort of kickback. We didn’t go too fast in front, it was a sensible pace. He stayed on well, we nearly got second. The winner must be some horse.”
Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. on fourth-placer St Joe Bay: “I had a great trip. Our initial plan was to go to the lead, but I would have had to use too much of him to get the lead and I don’t think he would have finished as well. He just got run down by good horses. I think he ran a big race.”
