Cairo Prince Registers Decisive Win in Nashua
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In his first start against winners, Cairo Prince scored a decisive victory over an 11-horse field after taking over the lead at the top of the stretch of the $250,000 Nashua Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds Nov. 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Paul Braverman, Namcook Stables, Harvey Clarke and partners, the gray or roan son of Pioneerof the Nile completed the one-mile distance in 1:37.59 on a fast track while winning for the second time in as many starts at odds of 4-1.
Beaking from the far outside in the one-turn mile with Luis Saez aboard, Cairo Prince was in the clear as he raced comfortably in fourth for the majority of the race. Awesome Wildcat was the early leader while he bumped between foes at the start, with Manhattan Johnnie taking over the first position at the three-eighths pole. Fractions were 23:16, 46:90, and 1:12.10.
Favored Manhattan Johnnie maintained his advantage until the quarter pole, when Cairo Prince made a bold move for the lead.
Racing in front at the top of the stretch, Cairo Prince quickly opened up his advantage, flashing ahead of his rivals by an increasing margin, and crossed the wire first by 2 1/2 lengths.
Financial Mogul, ridden by Jose Ortiz, closed late for second at odds of 13-1, while 16-1 shot Noble Moon checked in third. Completing the order of finish were Intense Holiday, Jose Sea View, Protonico, Grand Arrival, Louisiana Flyboy, Master Lightning, Manhattan Johnnie, Awesome Wildcat, and Tiznowforamerica.
"There was a strong headwind down the backside," said Arthur Magnuson, assistant to Kiaran McLaughlin. "We thought he'd be pretty close, but you worry at the five-sixteenths pole about how much he has left after he's made a run into that wind. Of course, you're also excited about the Remsen (gr. II) and Florida and next year in May. Whether he runs (in the Nov. 30 Remsen) is totally up to Kiaran, Mr. Braverman, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. (Terence) Murray."
Added Saez: "He keeps improving. Today, he was impressive. On the turn, he wanted to run, so I let him, and he was flying. I had a lot of horse at the top of the stretch and he just kept going."
Cairo Prince paid $10.60, $7.60, and $4.80 to win, while Financial Mogul returned $15.20 and $11.60 to place. Noble Moon paid $10.20 to show.
In his lone start prior to the Nashua, Cairo Prince raced just off the early leader in second before claiming the lead approaching the quarter pole and driving clear to a 2 3/4-length victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park Oct. 6. He increased his earnings to $192,000 with his most recent victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Richard Elam and Katherine Elam, Cairo Prince is out of stakes-winning sprinter Holy Bubbette. He is a two-time Keeneland sales graduate, bringing $200,000 and $250,000, respectively, at the January horses of all ages sale and September yearling sale.