European invader Sheikha Reika made her debut at the graded level in style with a late-surging success in the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine Saturday. Squeezed a bit at the break, the 550,000gns TATOCT buy did not let it impede her momentum and settled in fourth, running in the two-path as Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind) walked the dog on the front end through opening splits of :26.77 and :52.68. Three-wide turning for home, the 3-year-old found another gear in mid-stretch with the help of several left-handed reminders from her pilot, powering to the front in the final strides to best favored fellow European Golden Legend, who was mirroring Sheikha Reika's late rally to her outside.
“It was very important for her to jump out well…it was very important for me to take a good position heading into the first corner and travel nicely,” said Atzeni, who also piloted GI Pattison Canadian International S. victor Desert Encounter (Ire) (Halling). “The pace was a bit slow, but it turned into a little bit of a sprint, that's why she sort of took her time to hit top gear, but when she hit top gear, she went on to win in the end.”
He added, “She is a big mare and the ground is probably slow–a little bit 'dead' for her. She's a better filly over fast ground, but she got the job done today, which is the main thing.”
“I think she would've won a bit more comfortable if the race had gone a bit faster,” said assistant trainer Michael McGowan. “The ground was a bit loose, which doesn't suit her–she likes fast ground, so I was a bit worried because the leaders went slow enough to stay where they were. The last 50 yards, she really picked up and took off.”
After playing bridesmaid in her first three attempts, Sheikha Reika graduated at fourth asking at Newmarket Apr. 19. Fourth next out at Ascot Sept. 8, she captured the John Musker S. by 4 1/2 lengths at Yarmouth Sept. 19.
Pedigree Notes:
The 21st Group 1 winner for her sire Shamardal, Sheikha Reika is a full-sister to English Highweight and G1SW Lumiere (GB). Their dam Screen Star is also responsible for the unraced juvenile colt Enshroud (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), a yearling colt by Golden Horn (GB) and a weanling filly by Lope de Vega (Ire). The winner hails from the family of American champion Outstandingly and MGSW Sensation (GB).
Saturday, Woodbine
E. P. TAYLOR S.-GI, C$501,000, Woodbine, 10-13, 3yo/up, f/m,
1 1/4mT, 2:05.10, gd.
1–SHEIKHA REIKA (FR), 120, f, 3, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Screen Star (Ire), by Tobougg (Ire)
2nd Dam: Actoris, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Avice Caro, by Caro (Ire)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. (550,000gns Ylg
'16 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum;
B-Mark Johnston Racing, Ltd (FR); T-Roger Varian; J-Andrea
Atzeni. C$300,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-4-0, $287,753. *Full to
Lumiere (GB), Hw.t Filly at 2 on English Free Hand, G1SW-Eng,
$329,674. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Golden Legend (Fr), 124, f, 4, by Doctor Dino (Fr)
1st Dam: Gold Harvest (Fr), by Kaldounevees (Fr)
2nd Dam: Last Harvest (Fr), by Kahyasi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Flash of Dream (Ire), by Flash of Steel (Ire)
O-Mrs. Henri Devin; B-Henri Devin (FR); T-H. F. Devin.
C$100,000.
3–Santa Monica (GB), 124, m, 5, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Zacchera (GB), by Zamindar
2nd Dam: Palace Street, by Secreto
3rd Dam: Majestic Street, by Majestic Prince
(30,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 120,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT;
375,000gns 4yo '17 TATMA). O-Mrs. John Magnier, Madaket
Stables LLC & Deron Pearson; B-D. J. Erwin Bloodstock (GB);
T-Chad C. Brown. C$50,000.
Margins: 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 6.05, 10.85, 2.60.
Also Ran: Starship Jubilee, Proctor's Ledge, Pollara (Ire), Sky Full of Stars (Ger), Elysea's World (Ire), Summer Luck. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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