Thunder Snow's American Campaign to Start With Met Mile

Godolphin's dual Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Thunder Snow will bypass Royal Ascot and instead run in the June 8 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park, trainer Saeed Bin Suroor announced May 19. 

Last year Thunder Snow twice ran in the U.S, finishing runner-up in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Belmont before taking third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. He kicked off his 2019 season with a runner-up effort in the March 9 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1), then became the first horse to win two editions of the Dubai World Cup when he followed his 2018 victory—which he landed by 5 3/4 lengths in track record time—with a nose score over Gronkowski.

Following his exploits at Meydan in March, the 5-year-old son of Helmet was given a break but is back working and will be aimed at the Met Mile with the Breeders' Cup a long-term goal again.

"Thunder Snow worked nicely on Monday and he'll do another piece of work before I make my final decision," Bin Suroor said. "He's in good form. The race is (going) a mile but I've spoken to Christophe Soumillon and Kieren Fallon, who rides him every day, and we're happy to run him at the trip. He has shown speed in his races."

Among the leading American candidates for the Met Mile are the Bob Baffert-trained McKinzie, Coal Front, winner of the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City—District One (G2) on Dubai World Cup Day, and Firenze Fire.