G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2

Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) captured the second group race of his career in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 at Meydan on Thursday. His win interrupted a Godolphin streak, as the royal blue was first past the post in three of the five races carded for Thoroughbreds on the day. The Alan Spence-bred settled in a tracking third as Capezzano (Bernardini) showed the way on the front end. However, Salute the Soldier sidled up to the pacesetter's outside and stuck his neck in front late on the...

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}) has shown an affinity for the all-weather surface--having recorded six career victories over the surface--and will attempt to translate that form to the dirt in Thursday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 at Meydan. Kicking off 2020 with a win in Lingfield's G3 Winter Derby S. on the all-weather in February, the John Gosden trainee finished fifth in Sandown's Listed Coral Gala S. over the summer before returning with a comfortable score in the Nov. 14 Listed Churchill S. at...

Godolphin's MG1SW Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), trying dirt for the first time in the 1900-metre G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, answered that surface question emphatically, drawing off to win by two lengths over Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Meydan on Thursday. 2018 GI Belmont S. runner-up Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) ran third, 6 3/4 lengths behind after a wide trip. Part of the early pace discussion from the bell, Christophe Soumillon settled his mount in a perfect position in third just off the tempo set by dueling leaders Chiefdom (The...