Capponi surprises in Maktoum Challenge

After pressing the pace set by Treble Jig, Capponi disposed of the early

leader rounding the far turn and kicked away. The stalking Silver Pond, who was

making his synthetic debut off a three-month layoff, and Prince Bishop both

tried to give chase, but could not make a dent on Capponi. Looking strong down

the length of the straight, Capponi dominated in a final time of 2:03 for about

1 1/4 miles on Tapeta.

"We know this horse stays very well," Ajtebi said, "so I was more than happy

to chase the early pace and then commit him for home at the top of the straight.

He has galloped all the way to the line and won nicely. Obviously the whole team

will be involved in deciding where he goes on Dubai World Cup night, but the big

race itself must be a serious consideration after this win."

Silver Pond held off Prince Bishop by a half-length for runner-up honors.

Another two lengths astern in fourth came Monterosso, posting a useful comeback

in his first outing since a close third in the 2011 World Cup. Richard's Kid,

Fly Down, Haatheq, Irish Flame, Al Shemali, Treble Jig, Mendip, Bold Silvano,

Biondetti and a tailed-off Green Destiny rounded out the order of finish. Spring

of Fame was scratched, allowing Biondetti in, while fellow also-eligibles Jamr

and Submariner stayed in the barn.

Capponi more than doubled his bankroll to $459,290 from his 13-7-2-0 line.

Formerly based in England with Mark Johnston, the son of Medicean scored in his

debut and spent the rest of his time in handicap company, winning three times.

Tenth in the Cambridgeshire in his 2010 finale, Capponi was sent to Dubai, but

wound up seventh in a Tapeta handicap in his only start of 2011. He returned

from a 10-month absence to finish second in a similar event at Meydan on January

5, and has been unbeatable since. Capponi set a course record when capturing an

about 1 3/16-mile handicap on Tapeta January 26, and rolled by three lengths

last time out on February 23.

Like Capponi, African Story was earning his first career stakes victory.

Unlike Capponi, African Story had already been competing at Group level. For

Andre Fabre in France last summer, he missed by a head to Group 1 vixen

Moonlight Cloud in the Group 3 Prix de la Porte Maillot, finished third in the

Group 3 Quincey, and was a creditable fourth to multiple Group 1 heroine

Sahpresa in the Group 3 Prix du Palais Royal. African Story made a winning debut

for bin Suroor in a January 26 handicap at Meydan before coming up just short in

the Firebreak, which remains his only loss on synthetic. His scorecard now reads

11-4-3-3, $324,895.