Special Fighter Upsets Al Maktoum Round 3

Racing comfortably throughout, Special Fighter (IRE) led at every call and overwhelmed rivals in the stretch to score a 4 1/2-length victory in the $400,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates (UAE-I) March 5 at Meydan, spoiling the Dubai debut of last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Keen Ice.

Special Fighter, a 5-year-old son of Teofilo (IRE), secured the first group stakes victory of his career and bounced back from a sixth-place effort in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 sponsored by EGA (UAE-II) where he finished 12 lengths behind winner Frosted. 

While Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed al Maktoum's Special Fighter thrived on the front end under Fernando Jara in Round 3, Keen Ice faded turning for home after stalking from fourth in the far turn. The Travers winner ended up seventh in the prep for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 26 at Meydan.

Like the Dubai World Cup, the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 is contested at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi, who picked up his third win on the Super Saturday card with Special Fighter, said his horse was compromised in the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 when he lost shoes. Bred by Darley, Special Fighter completed Saturday's race in 2:03.11.

Jara said Special Fighter relaxed well on the lead early, allowing him to deliver a strong finish.

Special Fighter was followed home by Gun Pit (AUS) second, Faulkner (GB) third, and last year's U.A.E. Derby sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (UAE-II) winner Mubtaahij fourth. Mubtaahij also finished fourth in last year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Longshot Special Fighter returned $68 to win in U.S. pools and $14.20 to place/show.

Golden Soul, runner-up in the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), finished last in Saturday's field of 12.