El Kabeir Shows ’Em Who’s ‘The Boss’ in Gotham

El Kabeir delivered a dominant victory in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
NEW YORK – El Kabeir’s running style as a horse who wanted to be on or near the lead appeared to be well-established through his first seven starts and his trainer, John Terranova, was content to live with that in the $400,000 Gotham Stakes since the muddy surface at Aqueduct had favored speed throughout the afternoon.
Terranova told his rider, C.C. Lopez, not to hesitate in grabbing an early lead in the 1 1/16-mile race if his mount broke sharply. El Kabeir, whose name means “The Boss” in Arabic, had other ideas.
In an unexpected but welcome development, he took himself well back before rallying for a convincing 2 ¾-length victory on Saturday against Tiz Shea D, who was making only his second lifetime start. Classy Class broke poorly and could do no better than third.
Terranova was ecstatic that El Kabeir unveiled such a powerful closing kick, knowing how valuable that might be if they are able to advance to the Kentucky Derby.
“It’s a great dimension to possess,” he said. “Obviously, you’ve got to be able to relax to get a mile and a quarter, and that’s a lot of what we saw today.”
Terranova added: “This was a huge difference. I think the horse, mentally, is getting stronger. He knows what he wants to do.”
The performance was very rewarding for the trainer and his staff.
“He showed everything they’ve been trying to teach him, sitting behind horses and gathering dirt in his face,” Lopez said.
Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard
El Kabeir rebounded from a runner-up finish to Far From Over in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes on Feb. 7 to earn his fourth victory in eight starts and increase his lifetime earnings to $678,892 on behalf of loaded Zayat Stables. Zayat also has Derby candidates American Pharoah, the 2014 champion two-year-old male who is favored by many to bring home the roses, and Mr. Z. This was his second win in four starts at Aqueduct.
Lopez believes El Kabeir answered questions about his ability to cover a classic distance in the Gotham.  He was shuffled back to ninth in the early going but stormed back. His final time was 1:45.56. He justified his status as the favorite and returned $4.60 for a $2 win wager.
“When he changed leads turning for home, he just exploded,” Lopez said. “It’s not in my mind about the distance no more.”
Lopez, a journeyman rider who does not typically gain top mounts, admits he lives with the fear of being replaced aboard El Kabeir, a gray or roan colt by Scat Daddy. “I’ve been riding him like it’s the last time I’m going to ride him,” he said.
Terranova said he looks forward to going on to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes on April 4 — with Lopez aboard.
“The Zayat family is as thrilled as can be. There is no need to change anything,” he said. “Everybody has been on board with C.C. the whole time.”
Thrilled, too, were the connections of runner-up Tiz Shea D. He was making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott since taking his debut on Feb. 7 in a 5 ½-furlong contest at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa. He was trained at that time by Jason Servis.
“Coming off his first start, second race and first around two turns against this company, he proved that he belonged and really, really impressed us,” said Riley Mott, assistant to his father.
For now, El Kabeir remains the boss, leaving Terranova to marvel at the strides the youngster made since closing his 2-year-old campaign with a front-running victory  in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes for Calvin Borel at Churchill Downs.
“He was very fast and we knew he was very talented,” Terranova recalled. “But we didn’t know how he would be mentally. Now, we’ve focused on getting him to use his energy the right way. He’s gone the right way. He’s that type.”
For an Equibase chart, click here.
EL KABEIR DOMINATED THE OPPOSITION IN GOTHAM

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire