NORTHERN DANCER TURF | PURSE: $300,000 | 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP | GRADE 1 | 1 1/2 MILES (TURF)
English invader Sheikhzayedroad made a successful North American debut when he held off Dynamic Sky in a tight finish in the $282,711 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes Sept. 14 at Woodbine.
The winner drifted out a couple of paths in the final yards before the wire, causing pacesetter Reporting Star to take up in tight quarters, and he appeared to brush with the onrushing Dynamic Sky as well. Following a long stewards' inquiry, however, a claim of foul was disallowed and the result stood.
Martin Lane rode Sheikhzayedroad, a 5-year-old son of Dubawi trained by David Simcock for owner/breeder Rabbah Bloodstock, to the victory. The bay gelding was coming off back-to-back stakes triumphs in England.
Sheikhzayedroad, the 3-1 second choice, scored by half a length and was timed in 2:32.37 for the 1 ½-mile journey over a turf course rated good. Dynamic Sky, at odds of 24-1, was second, with Reporting Star third.
The Pizza Man, the 6-5 favorite in the field of nine, was unplaced, ending his five-race win streak for Midwest Thoroughbreds.
Reporting Star set a deliberate pace while on an easy lead Saturday, taking defending Northern Dancer victor Forte Dei Marmi through an opening half-mile in :52.88 seconds, a mile in 1:43.18, and 10 furlongs in 2:07.61.
Sheikhzayedroad, well back in the field for the opening mile after a slow break, was put the drive rounding the final turn by Lane, the gelding's regular rider. As The Pizza Man mounted a challenge along the hedge. Sheikhzayedroad may have made the winning move when dropped down to the rail in front of The Pizza Man past mid-stretch.
With room to operate along the inside, Sheikhzayedroad reached even terms with Reporting Star in deep stretch, inching ahead of that rival and getting to the line in the final strides over the fast-closing Dynamic Sky, ridden by Joel Rosario.
Justin Stein, aboard Reporting Star, came up in the saddle in the last yards as Sheikhzayedroad came out and bumped slightly with Dynamic Sky.
Sheikhzayedroad earned his fourth win in eight starts this year. Winner of the Dubai Duty Free Gulf World Cup in January going 10 furlongs at Meydan, he later returned to England to run third in a group III test at Sandown Park, losing by a nose. Sheikhzayedroad won his next two starts, including the Skybet York Stakes July 26 at York in his previous race.
Out of the Highest Honor mare Royal Secrets, Sheikhzayedroad's extended his career mark to 8-3-4 in 21 outings with earnings of $501,999.
Carrying co-highweight of 123 pounds, Sheikhzayedroad paid $8.30, $4.90, and $4.10 across the board, keying a $161.60 exacta. John Oxley's Dynamic Sky, signaling a return top form for trainer Mark Casse, returned $17 and $10.40 with his big late move. Always-tough Reporting Star, most recently second in Woodbine's Sky Classic Stakes, paid $7.20 to show.
Villandry finished fourth, followed by The Pizza Man, Aldous Snow, Perfect Timber, Karibu Gardens, and Forte Dei Marmi.