Report: Europe-based Rogue Lightning will make U.S. debut

Rogue Lightning, winner of the Group 3 Dukhan Sprint at Doha last month in his 2025 debut, will travel to the U.S. for his next start.

Racing Post reported that the 5-year-old gelding, owned by Wathnan Racing, was invited to the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on Dubai World Cup night April 5 but will be entered in the Shakertown (G2) at Keeneland on the same day.

"It makes sense to move up in stages to Grade 2 level rather than go straight to a Grade or Group 1 race," trainer Tom Clover told Racing Post.

Rogue Lightning's win at Doha was his first in seven starts since he sold for $1.2 million in October 2023.

Clover said the Ireland-bred's success in Qatar showed he can handle traveling. If all goes well at Keeneland, he said, the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) at Churchill Downs would be a possibility for Rogue Lightning's next start.