Mouheeb Has Derby Options After Win in Dubai

Mouheeb burnished his credentials for any of three upcoming Derbys with a late-running score in the featured UAE Two Thousand Guineas Sponsored by Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal (G3) Feb. 4 at Meydan Racecourse.

The victory was a feature on the third night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at the showpiece track.

Mouheeb, a Kentucky-bred colt by Flatter  out of the Eltish mare Shananies Song, edged front-running Meshakel by a neck in the final strides with an energetic ride by Ryan Curatolo.

Godolphin's entry, Naval Crown, was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third as Mouheeb covered the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) in 1:36.46. Nicholas Bachalard trains Mouheeb for owner Sheikh Amad bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was the third start of the season for Mouheeb and his second win. He finished second in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial, behind Rebel's Romance. The latter, still a Godolphin hope for later and longer, did not contest the Guineas.

"To be honest, I thought on the backside they were going a bit too fast for my horse, and I just wanted to keep him relaxed," said Curatolo, who won for the first time at Meydan. "Then, when I got to the turn, I started improving a little bit and, changing legs, I knew I would get there."

Mouheeb has an invitation to the $1.5 million Saudi Derby in Riyadh in two weeks' time or could stay at Meydan for the Al Bastakiya at Meydan on Super Saturday, March 6. The Al Bastakiya, contested at 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles) is a prep for the UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD (G2) at the same distance on World Cup night, March 27.

And the UAE Derby is part of the Churchill Downs "Road to the Kentucky Derby" with the winner getting 100 points toward a start in that race.

In the co-featured Firebreak Stakes (G3), Secret Ambition drove to the lead under Tadhg O'Shea, opened a daylight advantage by mid-stretch, and won by 3 3/4 lengths from Hypothetical. Secret Ambition, an 8-year-old Exceed And Excel horse, finished the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) on the dirt track in 1:36.12. The Satish Seemar trainee finished second in the Firebreak in each of the past two years.

"I don't think any horse deserves a win more than Secret Ambition," Seemar said. "He's had a bit of bad luck. Full credit goes to Tadhg O'Shea this evening. Right out of the gate, he made a smart move and had him in the right spot and had full confidence. Once he has it his way, there's no way Secret Ambition is going to lose."

Seemar said he might take Secret Ambition directly to World Cup night, presumably for the Godolphin Mile (G2) on the dirt, "or try him farther in distance between then and now ... The win is very important and does give us some confidence."

Godolphin runners finished first through fifth in the Meydan Cup Sponsored by P & O Marinas, a turf handicap at about 1 3/4 miles. Dubai Future, with Frankie Dettori riding for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, was away cleanly, raced just back of the pace and came out for running room at the top of the stretch. After grinding to the lead, the 5-year-old Dubawi gelding held well to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the favorite in the international markets.

The next four in the blue parade were Volcanic Sky, Global Heat, Ispolini, and Ghostwatch. Two more Godolphin runners, Moonlight Spirit and Desert Fire, finished next-last and last in the field of 10.

Eight 3-year-olds contested the seven-furlong Meydan Classic Trial Sponsored by Jebel Ali Port. Topper Bill rallied to the lead 200 furlongs out and ran on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The well-fancied Godolphin rivals Last Sunset and First Smile were second and third, respectively. Topper Bill improved his 3-year-old record to 2-for-2 with both wins sprinting over the Meydan strip.

Sheikh Mohammed's crew was back in charge in the evening's finale as Man of Promise and Final Song finished 1-2 in the Dubai Sprint Sponsored by JAFZA, a six-furlong handicap. Man of Promise, a Kentucky-bred Into Mischief colt, was always prominent and got clear to win by 3 lengths with William Buick riding for trainer Charlie Appleby.

It was the first start for Man of Promise since last August at Newmarket.

The program-opener, the Mina Rashid Handicap at 1,600 meters on the turf, went to Canvassed as trainer Doug Watson enjoyed his first in-person appearance at Meydan in three weeks. Watson and his staff had been excluded due to positive COVID-19 tests at his Red Stables. Canvassed won easily in a quick 1:10.44 and moved into the picture for the group 1 sprint features on March 27.