Playa Del Puente, Jahbath Win Derby Points Races
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Photo: Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com
Jahbath delivers a decisive move in the Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions race at Kempton Park
The connections of at least one of the two horses to win a European Road to the Kentucky Derby race March 6 will give some consideration to a trip to the United States, although it would mark a big change in plans should they follow through with that option.
"The Kentucky Derby wasn't the plan before tonight," said trainer Michael Halford after watching Playa Del Puente edge group 1-placed Western Australia in the BetVictor Patton Stakes March 6 on the all-weather surface at Dundalk. "I am sure we will have a talk about it, but we have made plans for the horse to ship to Hong Kong in early May."
Playa Del Puente Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
The race at Dundalk in Ireland, re-scheduled from March 1 when races were canceled because of the death of longtime Irish racing regulator William Buckley, was one of two European Road to the Kentucky Derby points races Wednesday. On the all-weather surface at Kempton Park in England, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Jahbath delivered a two-length score in the Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions race.
Neither horse is currently nominated to the Triple Crown races.
BloodHorse was unable to reach Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold after Wednesday's race, which was conducted in the evening. Both horses earned 20 points in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, which has a points race separate from the main Derby points race. Should either or both be considered for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), they would be atop or tied for the lead in that race.
With Ronan Whelan aboard, Playa Del Puente settled early before launching a move in the stretch that would see the son of Elzaam race strongly to the wire to prevail over Western Australia, one of three starters for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the race.
The victory marked the third straight win at Dundalk for Playa Del Puente and his first stakes win. He completed the mile test in 1:37.37. Playa Del Puente was purchased ahead of his win streak by Huang Kai Wen with plans to ship the horse to Hong Kong in May.
"Huang Kai Wen is based in Hong Kong, and six people from there came over last week to see the horse and our setup at home," Halford said. "They were here on Friday night when, unfortunately, poor Willie Buckley passed away. They will obviously be thrilled and looking forward to getting the horse to Hong Kong."
In the one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions race, Jahbath launched his move near the quarter pole, quickly opened a three-length advantage early in the stretch, and maintained a comfortable advantage to the wire to secure his fourth straight win.
The William Haggas-trained son of Mukhadram was guided to victory by Jim Crowley. Jahbath completed the race in 1:38.78.