'Improving' Gotham winner Haikal to target Wood Memorial

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Sunday that Haikal “just seems like he’s improving all the time,” and Shadwell Stable’s colt proved it by winning the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct while picking up 50 qualifying points on the Kentucky Derby 2019 trail.

The Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial is likely the next spot for Haikal. McLaughlin said he will speak with Shadwell’s Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols to firm up those plans. The Wood Memorial would stretch Haikal out to his first race around two turns at 1 1/8 miles, measuring a furlong longer than the one-mile Gotham.

While Much Better and Knicks Go were sent early in the Gotham, setting opening quarter-mile fractions in 22.36 and 44.42, jockey Rajiv Maragh waited at the back with Haikal. The duo made a late run to win by one length over Mind Control, followed by California shippers Instagrand and Much Better. The final time was 1:35.63.

“It was a great race shape for us yesterday with the 44 and change half,” McLaughlin said. “It looked like that could happen on paper, and it happened when the gates opened, and Rajiv did a great job settling him toward the rear and then making a big run.”

Haikal, by Daaher and out of Sablah, by Distorted Humor, is a half-brother to Takaful, who McLaughlin also trained for Shadwell. Takaful raced on the 2017 Derby trail, but his best performance came sprinting when he won the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

McLaughlin suspects Haikal will be able to get more distance.

“His brother, Takaful, was a tough horse, mentally was tough, and this horse is the opposite,” he said. “Nothing bothers him. He’s got a great mind and that’s why we think he’ll get further. He does everything right.”

Haikal has stretched out with each race. He was second on debut Nov. 10 before breaking his maiden Dec. 15. He made his 3-year-old debut Feb. 9 in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes and was up by a neck before entering the Gotham. All four starts have been at Aqueduct.

“It’s been six furlongs, seven furlongs, eight furlongs and now nine furlongs,” McLaughlin said of pointing to the Wood. “And we hope 10 furlongs in the future. It’s an extra eighth each time.”

The Kentucky Derby, run May 4 at Churchill Downs, would be that extra eighth at 1 ¼ miles.

Though Haikal has come from behind in all four races so far, McLaughlin expects him to adjust when stretching out in the Wood Memorial.

“Obviously, going two turns next time, we’re not going to have a 44 half to run into,” he said, “but we might be a little closer. We should be closer going two turns.”