El Kabeir New Leader on the Road to the Kentucky Derby
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El Kabeir had to overcome some early difficulties, before going on to win the Grade 3 Jerome Stakes victory today at Aqueduct. With the victory El Kabeir earned 10 more points
which moved him to the top of the Road to the
2015 Kentucky Derby standings with 21 points.
The Zayat Stables runner was breaking from the nine
post-position and had several speedy horses inside of him. When Calvin Borel
was not able to make the trip to New York, veteran rider C. C. Lopez got the
mount for trainer John Terranova. Lopez is know for his ability to ride horses
like El Kabeir that want to get to the early lead.
At the break, El Kabeir took a bad step or two as
Ostrolenka and
Nasa were gunned out to the lead. Into the first turn, El Kabeir was pushed four
or five paths wide, and ended up in third position four lengths behind the
leader. The early fractions of :23.79 and :48.47 were fairly quick on an
Aqueduct inner track that had been producing very slow times all day long.
After a half-mile, Lopez began to urge El Kabeir up to
contest the leaders. After the first six furlongs went in 1:13.75, the three
newly turned three-year-olds were even across the track. The Todd Pletcher
runner Ostrolenka began to fade out of contention and then so did Nasa, a son
of Smarty Jones. From there, El Kabeir ran out to what looked like an easy 4 3/4 length victory.
Rider Lopez, who had won the Jerome back in 1996 on Why
Change, described the win, “I had a good trip. He tried to beat the gate and
stumbled a little bit leaving there, but I gathered him up. I never panicked; I
was riding the best horse in the race. I just bided my time, and when I was
ready, I pushed the accelerator and he went. I just stayed out of trouble; that's what you're supposed to do on the
best horse - you don't get in any more trouble than you have to. He ran away
from them.”
El Kabeir’s trainer
John Terranova talked about the future of this Scat daddy colt, "That's
the whole key with these young, fast 3-year-olds, is if they're going to be
able to relax enough to stretch out and carry it. He's certainly bred to, and
he trains like he should. We'll see; hopefully he'll keep progressing. He's
gotten bigger and more filled out since the Kentucky race. He's eating like
there's no tomorrow. He's thriving off running."
"Obviously
we'll discuss it with the Zayat family, see what everyone feels is best and try
to make the best call where to race. It may be the Withers back here [Grade 3,
$250,000, February 7] or maybe we'll skip it and go to the Gotham [Grade 3, $400,000,
March 7], maybe we'll go out of town, but I have no problems staying here. I
love having horses here in New York. He's thriving and he's got a great
foundation under him now."
El Kabeir who was sent of as the 7-5 favorite paid $4.90 to win. Nasa held on for second and earned 4 Derby points, General Bellamy lugged up for third to get 2 points, and the 1 point for fourth went to Ackeret. Early leader Ostrolenka ended up in the fifth.
With 118 days until the Kentucky Derby, El Kabeir has 21 points, followed by Carpe Diem with 14, and Texas Red with 12.
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