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 Jockey Frankie Dettori does his famous leap off Two Step Salsa after winning the Godolphin Mile.
Dubai World Cup results |
Kicking off the Thoroughbred stakes action on Dubai World Cup night is the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2), a 1600 meter (about 1 mile) trip around one turn of the Nad al Sheba main track. A field of 15 older horses went to post on Saturday evening, with Godolphin entrant Two Step Salsa sent off as the 2-1 favorite, exiting a win in the Etisalat Wasel Trophy last time out. Stablemate Gayego, winner of the Mahab Al Shimaal, was the 3-1 second choice over 9-1 third choice Kalahari Gold, third in the Zabeel Mile in his last start.
 Two Step Salsa wins the Godolphin Mile |
Two Step Salsa and Cat Junior contested the early pace up front through fractions of 24.73 and 47.71 , with Dijeerr and Art of War stalking them for the first 3/4 mile. Entering the stretch, jockey Frankie Dettori asked Two Step Salsa for run and got it, as the favorite opened a clear lead with 1/4 mile remaining, through 3/4 in 1:11.54. Gayego, who sat in mid-pack early, came out for the drive and closed well through the lane, but he was left with too much ground to make up, as Two Step Salsa cruised under the line 2 1/4 lengths in front in 1:36.82, as Godolphin swept the exacta. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to late-running Don Renato third.
Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority. Results for US wagering:
2nd RACE NAD AL SHEBA - GODOLPHIN MILE (Group 2) 4 Two Step Salsa $5.60 $2.10 - 13 Gayego $3.20 - 2 Don Renato $28.80 - Running time - 1:36.82 $1 Exacta 4-13 $8.80 $1 Trifecta 4-13-2 $280.60 $1 Superfecta 4-13-2-3 $2,251.50
Left: Two Step Salsa returns after the race.
Right: Two Step Salsa heads for the winner's circle led by trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Suroor said, "I'm really happy with Frankie and I told him to ride him like that. We'll now take Two Step Salsa back to New York and try to find a race for him there."
Left: Two Step Salsa in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "I was lucky that they allowed me a soft lead in front and nothing was snapping at my heels, but this is a good horse and he quickened up really well. I hoped I was on the right one, and fortunately I was. It's a long straight here and I was running out of petrol, but he had enough to win the race."
Right: Two Step Salsa heads back to the barn with his winner's blanket.
Left: Second place finisher Gayego in the post parade. His jockey Ted Durcan said, "No excuses; he ran great and stayed on really well but the winner just had that bit more foot." Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin said, "They both came here with good form from America and we expected a 1-2. It was never going to be easy, but they did it well."
Right: Third place finisher Don Renato in the paddock. His jockey Wigberto Ramos said, "My horse had a good start and we went very easy in the first part. I knew that he couldn't keep up with the speed. At about the 500 meters mark, I started to go toward the leaders and he gave me a good run at the end. I am very pleased with his race."
The first race of the evening was the $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) for Purebred Arabians, contested at the World Cup distance of 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). This race was not available for wagering in North America. Amoking led the field through fractions of 27.15, 52.87, and 1:20.37 while being stalked by Vite Royale. Turning for home, Fryvolous, who had raced in mid-pack for the first 3/4 mile, came on to challenge for the lead and took over with 5/16 mile remaining, getting the mile in 1:48.28. Nil Blanc, who was last early, put in a strong rally late but was no match for Fryvolous who cruised under the line 3 1/2 lengths in front, completing the distance in 2:16.25. It was a long 12 lengths back to Paris Gagner third.
Jockey Daragh O'Donohoe celebrates aboard Fryvolous after the race. O'Donohoe said, "He travelled great, but I wasn't sure that he would get the trip, though Rod was never in any doubt; so I took my time and when I pressed the button, whoosh, he took off." Winning trainer Rod Simpson added, "This horse is pure class and the jockey gave it some ride. Daragh O'Donohoe should have been champion jockey and he is now in my eyes."
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