Gotham Winner El Kabeir Takes Aim on Wood

Zayat Stables' El Kabeir came out of his convincing win in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) in good order and will be aimed for the $1 million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

 

A son of Scat Daddy  , El Kabeir won the Gotham by 2 3/4 lengths March 7 at the New York track.

 

"He ate up well last night and looked great this morning," trainer John Terranova said. "He's happy, sound, and was excited to see everybody (today). All looks well."

 

El Kabeir was forced to change tactics in the Gotham, coming from off the pace after stretch-out sprinters Toasting Master and Blame Jim dashed to the front and set a snappy pace for the 1 1/16-mile journey.

 

 

He handled the new circumstances with aplomb, waiting patiently for his cue from jockey C. C. Lopez, and then storming past the field in the stretch to register an easy victory.

 

"I was very impressed, visually," Terranova said. "The way the race unfolded, he showed a whole new dimension. A lot was thrown at him yesterday and he made two big moves. It was very impressive. We're real proud of him."

 

Since debuting Aug. 14 at Saratoga Race Course, El Kabeir shows no layoff lines in his past performances, with eight starts in an eight-month span. Along the way, the gray/roan colt has picked up victories in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs and Jerome (gr. II) Jan. 3 at Aqueduct, as well as a second-place finish in the Withers (gr. III) there Feb. 7.

 

"He's a tough, strong horse. He's got a great constitution," Terranova said. "We've got a tremendous foundation under him now and I think the winter has toughened him up even more. We'll see how things go, but he seems to love (racing). Every race he's gotten stronger."

 

With 75 qualifying points, El Kabeir, who picked up 50 points for his win in the Gotham, sits atop the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard, and is virtually assured a spot in the Derby starting gate.

 

Gotham runner up Tiz Shea D, making his first start in the Bill Mott barn since arriving three weeks ago after being privately purchased, came out of the race in fine fettle, according Mott's son and assistant Riley Mott.

 

"He was good this morning, jogged well and very happy," he said. "He came to us in great shape, obviously, and he's thrived since being here and been training very well."

 

Future plans for the Tiznow   colt are not yet confirmed, but a start in the Wood Memorial is not out the realm of possibility.

 

"We're very pleased with how he ran," Riley Mott said. "The Wood would seem to be the next logical step, but we'll speak to (owner Adam) Wachtel (owner) and (Bill Mott), and we'll get him back to the track and make a decision from there."

 

Following Classy Class's third-place finish in the Gotham, in which he was beaten for second by a nose, Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, remained optimistic and encouraged by the colt's performance.

 

"We thought he ran well from the hand he was dealt," Magnuson said. "He broke a little flat-footed and ended up back a little far, but no complaints, I think  (jockey) Junior (Alvarado) worked out the best trip he could and he ran well. We were unlucky not to run second. Experience-wise, it was an educational trip and he showed courage."

 

Coming out of the race in good shape, the next target for the Cheyenne Stables-owned Discreetly Mine   colt will be the Wood Memorial.

 

"As of right now, I talked to Kiaran this morning and (Everett) Dobson, and as far as I know we're pointing to the Wood," Magnuson said.