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Now in the care of former Dubai-based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Elusive Warning registered six published workouts in advance of what was his first race in 18 months.  Considering the break, the performance was a strong one for the 2008 Burj Nahaar (G3) winner. Look back on Elusive Warning’s 2008 Godolphin Mile performance below.

Over nine furlongs, Regal Ransom broke alertly and willingly advanced to take command under veteran jockey Richard Migliore.  Rationing out the speed of this son of Distorted Humor, Migliore guided his mount through pedestrian early fractions of 24.0 and 49.0 while quickening as the race progressed.  Blame, a fast-improving 3-year-old closed into the pace to run second, beaten 1.25 lengths.  While the winning margin was ordinary and the final time of 1:49.63 was not particularly fast, the way in which Regal Ransom won was most impressive, especially considering the even fractions Regal Ransom unveiled, quickening as the race progressed.  The picture below was taken just after Regal Ransom returned from galloping out, alert and fresh.

Godolphin’s victory was the second Super Derby for the boys in blue who annexed the 2002 edition with Essence of Dubai.  Regal Ransom was a strong wagering favorite, backed in as the 13-10 public choice after a 5-2 morning line.

“The race panned out exactly as I expected,” said Migliore, who has now landed multiple graded stakes efforts for Godolphin this summer.  “We had an easy lead and I knew we would win at the eighth pole, I showed him the whip, but never had to hit him.” 

Rick Mettee, North American assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, noted that they might have to rethink their future plans for Regal Ransom.  “We all thought he might be tired coming out of this race, it being his first since May, but given how easy he won, we might have to look at some other options.”

One option that does not hold much weight is the Breeders’ Cup.  While Mettee does not question Regal Ransom’s ability to go ten furlongs, the synthetic surface at Santa Anita might keep the improving sophomore away.  “The worst race in his career was the Norfolk out there, so that would be a concern.”  Initially, Mettee mentioned that they collectively thought he would fit the Cigar Mile well, but said that both Migliore and former jockey Alan Garcia both believe the UAE Derby winner can get added ground. 

Mettee keenly mentioned that Regal Ransom trained well in Dubai at the Al Quoz Paddocks over the Tapeta surface, which is widely speculated to be the main track surface used at Meydan.  The Dubai World Cup will be run over ten furlongs at Meydan on March 27, 2010.

Click below to watch Regal Ransom make all in the 30th Super Derby.  Travis Stone had the call. 

Gayego was guided to the outside and steadily advanced to defeat Digger by a length at odds of 3-4.  The final time for six furlongs was a swift 1:09.25.  Trainer Saeed bin Suroor notched his fifth win from eight starts at the summer Saratoga meeting.  The victory pushed Gayego’s lifetime record to six wins from twelve starts and earnings in excess of $1.1 million.

Asiatic Boy, racing for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, will carry 122 pounds with Alan Garcia aboard, the lightest impost since his maiden campaign in Argentina.  The son of Not For Sale, formerly trained by Mike De Kock, will also be medicated with Lasix for this nine furlong event which drew a field of seven others. 

Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein is the top-weighted favorite and is seeking to become only the second horse to win Grade 1 races on dirt, turf, and a synthetic surface.  The Helen Pitts-Blasi trainee won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard. 

It is difficult to hypothesize on Asiatic Boy’s likely performance here as his 2009 campaign is the least-credentialed in his lifetime.  The Stephen Foster marks only the 16th appearance in his lifetime but his final Dubai World Cup prep, the third round of the Maktoum Challenge (G2), appears, in hindsight, to have been a relatively weak renewal.  Asiatic Boy’s appearance in America seems an attempt to revive a career that has clearly been best served on dirt.  While he is likely to improve second off the layoff, Asiatic Boy is 6-years-old and intact, and his connections will surely keep that in mind if his performances are not up to par.

Arson Squad, 11th in the 2009 Dubai World Cup, returns in the Stephen Foster also, carrying 118 pounds.

“I was surprised at how well they looked,” bin Suroor said.  “Sometimes horses don’t travel well, but they look happy and in good condition.  They look better to me than they did in Dubai.”

The fact that Godolphin’s primary trainer has arrived in Louisville as early as Saeed bin Suroor has is a wonderful sign.  With major preparations ongoing for the classics season in the UK, Saeed’s presence should be considered a positive sign as to how the horses are preparing for America’s best-known race.