Thunder Snow set for first Breeders' Cup Classic prep
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Trainer Saeed bin Suroor cautions that Thunder Snow, the last out Dubai World Cup winner who hasn't run since, will "need the race" when he lines up Wednesday at England's York Racecourse.
The Juddmonte International Stakes is meant only to be a steppingstone toward the 4-year-old's return to America and, perhaps, some redemption at Churchill Downs, where last year he bucked leaving the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby and didn't finish the race.
“Whatever happens in the Juddmonte will make him fit and ready for the future," bin Suroor told York Racecourse's publicity team.
After Wednesday's start -- Thunder Snow's first since March 31 -- plans call for him to run Sept. 29 in Belmont Park's Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The event is a "Win and You're In" toward the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Classic under the Twin Spires.
An Irish-bred son of Helmet, Thunder Snow has raced four times this year, each of them over Meydan's dirt. He's posted a pair of victories and hasn't finished worse than second. A dominant Dubai World Cup score came over the likes of Americans West Coast, Mubtaahij and Pavel.
Bin Suroor and owner Sheikh Mohammed, who campaigns Thunder Snow in the famed Godolphin Blue, decided on a layoff following the World Cup.
“Since the horse came to Newmarket, he’s doing well and working nicely," bin Suroor said. "Oisin Murphy rode him last week – on the Limekilns in Newmarket – and the horse is improving all the time and now he’s fit, but he’ll need the race and will improve for it."
The Juddmonte International runs at 10 furlongs on the turf. Bin Suroor will also be represented in the race by 4-year-old Benbatl, the Group 1 Dubai Turf winner.
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