3rd-Meydan, $100,000, Cond, 1-31, NH3yo & SH3yo, 1400mT, 1:24.29, gd.
GOLDEN JAGUAR (c, 3, Animal Kingdom–Golden Sunray {SW-US}, by Crafty Prospector) set a new race record of 1:24.29 in the $100,000 Meydan Classic Trial at Meydan while preserving his perfect ledger after a 3 1/4-length debut win at Jebel Ali on Jan. 11. Leaving from a horror gate in stall 15, the chestnut was able to sit near the tail of the field, but was unfortunately punching the breeze three deep without cover for the backstretch run. Angled into the eight path as the field straightened, the blinkered sophomore answered rider Connor Beasley's every question and looked in with a chance–if he was good enough–a quarter mile out. Godolphin colt Nashirah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had taken command, but his lead was brief, as he conceded to Golden Jaguar, who was pressed by Irish Trilogy (Ire) (Gregorian {Ire}) to his inside. Inside the final 100 metres, the Phoenix Ladies Syndicate runner leveled off nicely to win by two lengths. Irish Trilogy held on for second by a neck from GSW Sporting Chance (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) who had made up ground up the inner as the finish line neared. “It was really impressive the way he did it, to be honest, because everything went wrong,” said hoop Connor Beasley of his mount who was trying the turf for the first time. “He was obviously drawn quite wide and he half clipped the gates again. I had to take my time [with him]. Once I pushed the button, he went about his job really well. For a horse that is having his second run, he hit the front far tooearly, but he was a very willing partner and he galloped right through the line. Very impressive.” Added Amer Abdulaziz who represents Phoenix Thoroughbreds, “We owe it to [trainer] Ahmad bin Harmash, who picked out and bought all these good horses for Phoenix Ladies and has done a great job with them. It shows you how good [Golden Jaguar] is, to win on dirt [at Jebel Ali] and now on turf today.” The winner is a half to GIII Winning Colors S. third Golden Domer (Quality Road) and his dam was covered by Will Take Charge last spring. Golden Sunray is a half-sister to the dams of GSW & MGISP Bolo (Temple City), as well as Canadian champion and GI Kentucky Derby hero Mine That Bird (Birdstone) and three-time Grade I winner Dullahan (Even the Score). Sales history: $90,000 RNA Ylg '17 KEESEP; $60,000 2yo '18 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $80,423. DRC Video.
O-Phoenix Ladies Syndicate; B-William J Betz & Peter V Lamantia (KY); T-Ahmad bin Harmash.
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