Sheikhzayedroad Wins Northern Dancer Turf
Rabbah Bloodstock's Sheikhzayedroad withstood a stewards' inquiry and jockey's claim of foul to make his U.S. debut a succesful one in the Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf at Woodbine on Sunday.
The eventual winner settled trailed the pack in the early going. Opening the turf route with fractions of :26 2/5, :52 and 1:17 4/5, Reporting Star maintained a comfortable lead. Forte Dei Marmi held a second-place position just to the outside of the 3-2 favorite, The Pizza Man.
As the field covered the mile in 1:43, Sheikhzayedroad began to pick off rivals going into the far turn. Under the guidance of rider Martin Lane, the British-bred son of Dubawi dropped along the rail and challenged Reporting Star from the inside lane.
Dynamic Sky, at 24-1, unleashed a late surge to gain on the duo. Sheikhzayedroad shook free of the pacesetter but drifted out just before the wire. Dynamic Sky, ridden by Joel Rosario, got within a half-length to secure second place.
The winner covered the 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.37 over the good turf.
Immediately following the finish, the stewards announced an inquiry into the stretch run of the race as well as a claim of foul against the winner by Justin Stein, rider of Reporting Star. After several minutes, officials dismissed the claim and the order stood.
Trained by David Simcock, Sheikhzayedroad has campaigned in Great Britain, with a spring stint at Meydan, including a win in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup and a start in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup last March.
The Northern Dancer Turf makes the third consecutive win for the 5-year-old gelding following wins at Newmarket in June and in the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes at York on July 26.
Sheikhzayedroad has a career record of eight wins, three seconds and four thirds from 21 starts, amounting more than $500,000 in total earnings.
The 3-1 second-choice paid $8.30 for the win.
Villandry finished in fourth place, ahead of the heavily favored The Pizza Man in fifth. Perfect Timber, Karibu Gardens and Forte Dei Marmi completed the order of finish.