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Turkish sensation has racing world abuzz Beware American racing fans, NISAN ONE SAKASI arrives in the United States on Friday and is expected to have a big impact. Already recognized as by far the greatest Thoroughbred ever produced in Turkey, he's been labeled the Asian Phar Lap and is lovingly called "Direk" in his native land, which translates to pole in English, because the Turkish superstar wins every start by at least a pole. Owner of all the major racing prizes at home as well as numerous track records, the five-year-old is expected to go after some of the biggest U.S. races on the 2005 calendar. Previously based at Valsalva Racecourse near Istanbul, Nisan One Sakasi isn't coming to America alone. His famous connections, jockey Bulent Yanal and trainer Fehmi Seyhan, will be on hand for all of his starts. Yanal is more than his nation's top jockey. He's a popular motion picture and T.V. star who released his first album, which includes a ballad about Nisan One Sakasi's exploits, earlier this year. Seyhan is a legendary horseman in the Eurasian region. He made a name for himself leading an equine brigade during the Miltberle War in the 1960s and has trained nine of the last 14 Horse of the Year winners in Turkey, including Nisan One Sakasi the past three seasons. Owner Serhat Penbe has refused invitations from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and other countries, instead choosing to try his superstar against the best in America. His rationale is that Nisan One Sakasi's natural speed is better suited for dirt (he's terrific on both surfaces), and he has a unique plan for deciding upon where to run at first. Once Nisan One Sakasi clears quarantine, Penbe will ship him to the major tracks in New York, California and Kentucky. A former world-class equestrian rider himself, Penbe will then gallop Nisan One Sakasi over each oval to determine what surface is most favorable for his runner. He'll keep detailed notes and will even ship back for another test gallop if weather conditions result in a drastic change to a certain track. If his innovative track testing scheme pays off, Penbe could become known as "The Mad Genius from Turkey."
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