Gotham Trio Looking Ahead to Wood Memorial
El Kabeir emerged from his victory in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham in fine fettle, and is pointing to the Grade 1, $1 million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack, according to the 3-year-old colt's trainer, John Terranova.
"He ate up well last night and looked great this morning," said the trainer. "He's happy, sound, and was excited to see everybody [today]. All looks well."
Owned by Zayat Stables, El Kabeir was forced to change tactics in the Gotham, coming from off the pace after stretch-out sprinters Toasting Master and Blame Jim dashed to the front and set a snappy pace for the 1 1/16-mile journey.
The son of Scat Daddy handled the new circumstances with aplomb, waiting patiently for his cue from jockey C. C. Lopez, and then storming past the field in the stretch to register an easy 2 ¾-length score.
"I was very impressed, visually," said Terranova. "The way the race unfolded, he showed a whole new dimension. A lot was thrown at him yesterday and he made two big moves; it was very impressive. We're real proud of him."
Since debuting last summer on August 14 at Saratoga Race Course, El Kabeir shows no layoff lines in his past performances, making eight starts in an eight-month span. Along the way, the gray/roan colt has picked up victories in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club and the Grade 3 Jerome on January 3 at the Big A, as well as a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Withers on February 7 at Aqueduct.
"He's a tough, strong horse; he's got a great constitution," said Terranova. "We've got a tremendous foundation under him now, and I think the winter has toughened him up even more. We'll see how things go, but he seems to love [racing]. Every race he's gotten stronger."
With 75 qualifying points, El Kabeir, who picked up 50 points for his win in the Gotham, now sits atop the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard, and is virtually assured a spot in the Derby starting gate.
Gotham runner up Tiz Shea D, making his first start in the Bill Mott barn since arriving three weeks ago after being privately purchased, came out of the race in fine fettle according Mott's son and assistant Riley Mott.
"He was good this morning, jogged well and very happy," he said. "He came to us in great shape, obviously, and he's thrived since being here and been training very well."
Future plans for the Tiznow colt are not yet confirmed but a start in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Wood Memorial on April 4 is not out the realm of possibility.
"We're very pleased with how he ran, the Wood [Memorial] would seem to be the next logical step but we'll speak to Mr. [Adam] Wachtel [owner] and the boss [Bill Mott] and we'll get him back to the track and make a decision from there," said Mott.
Following Classy Class's third-place finish in the Grade 3 Gotham where he was beaten for second by a nose, Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, remained optimistic and encouraged by the colt's performance.
"We thought he ran well from the hand he was dealt," said Magnuson. "He broke a little flat footed and ended up back a little far but no complaints, I think Junior [Alvarado] worked out the best trip he could and he ran well. We were unlucky not to run second. Experience-wise it was an educational trip and he showed courage."
Coming out of the race in good shape, the next target for the Cheyenne Stables-owned colt will be the Wood Memorial.
"As of right now, I talked to Kiaran this morning and Mr. Dobson and as far as I know we're pointing to the Wood," said Magnuson.
Source: NYRA Communications