Desert Party makes winning return; Cat Junior wires Burj Nahaar
Desert Party was dropping back in distance to about six furlongs for the first time since his juvenile days, when he captured the 2008 Sanford S. (G2). The bay traveled beautifully beneath Frankie Dettori, who had him well placed along the rail, in the slipstream of the pacesetting Mrs. Boss (Wild Event). The front runner was under constant pressure from El Amarillista (Mutakddim) and Montpellier (Montjeu [Ire]), and the trio appeared to be providing the perfect set-up for a closer. |
Leaving the far turn, Desert Party was clearly full of run and only needed a way through. Mrs. Boss obliged by drifting off the rail, and Desert Party wasted no time in driving straight through to take the lead. The late-running Mutheeb (Danzig) commenced his rally on the outside, and for a few strides, appeared to have all of the momentum. Desert Party responded to the sound of his approaching hoofbeats, knuckled under, and turned back Mutheeb. Nearing the wire, Desert Party actually began to inch away and was increasing his margin as he stopped the teletimer in 1:10 4/5 on the Tapeta.
"He has been off a long time," bin Suroor noted, "so that is a very pleasing effort, and hopefully there is improvement left as he would have needed the outing."
Sir Gerry (Carson City) closed from the back of the pack for third, edging Prince Shaun (Acclamation) and War Artist (Orpen). Rounding out the field were Palazzone (Bertolini), Barbecue Eddie (Stormy Atlantic), Force Freeze (Forest Camp), Snow Runner (Lode), Montpellier, Mrs. Boss and El Amarillista. The also-eligibles Happy Dubai (Indian Ridge), Yirga (Cape Cross [Ire]) and Visionist (Orpen) were withdrawn.
A $2.1 million two-year-old in training purchase at Fasig-Tipton Calder, Desert Party has now amassed $808,467 from his 8-5-1-0 line. He originally sported the Darley Stable silks and began his career with trainer Eoin Harty. After taking a 4 1/2-furlong maiden by 3 3/4 lengths at Arlington Park in his debut, he shipped to Saratoga for the Sanford and scored by a handy 3 1/4 lengths. Desert Party was shelved after a troubled sixth in the Hopeful S. (G1) and eventually joined the Godolphin squad. He captured his first two outings for bin Suroor at Nad al Sheba last year, including the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), but was upset by his stablemate Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) when runner-up in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2). Nothing went right for him next time out in the Run for the Roses.
Bred by David Smith and Steven Sinatra in Kentucky, Desert Party was produced from the winning Sage Cat (Tabasco Cat), making him a half-brother to the stakes-winning Elliecat (Crafty Prospector) and a yearling filly named Ghost of Sage Cat (Ghostzapper). This is the same female family as Grade 2 winner and sire Good and Tough (Carson City).
Although the Mahab al Shimaal is designed as a prep for the March 27 Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) at this same distance, it remains to be seen whether that will indeed be his target on Dubai World Cup night. Another possible objective for Desert Party could be the March 27 Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2).
Cat Junior was allowed to stride forward by new rider Richard Hills, and the Brian Meehan charge thrived in his dictating role. First engaged by Calming Influence (King's Best) turning into the stretch, Cat Junior spurted away, but he was not safe yet. Green Coast (Green Desert) delivered a sustained run from off the pace and steadily reduced the deficit. Cat Junior maintained his gallop all the way to the line, never letting Green Coast get too close to threaten, and he held a 1 1/4-length margin at the wire. "He has done that nicely and I was always bowling along happily," Hills said after Cat Junior toured the metric mile in 1:35 4/5 on the Tapeta. Calming Influence finished another half-length back in third, followed by Jet Express (Jet Master), the previously unbeaten Skysurfers (E Dubai), Vesuve (Green Tune), Forgotten Voice (Danehill Dancer), Fravashi (Falbrav [Ire]), Biarritz (Count Dubois), Al Arab (Redattore [Brz]), Laa Rayb (Storm Cat), Don Renato (Edgy Diplomat), Soneva (Cherokee Run) and We'll Come (Elnadim). The also-eligibles Beauchamp Victory (Compton Admiral), Prince Fasliyev (Fasliyev), Embalo (Boatman) and Gold Sovereign (King's Best) did not make it into the field. |
Cat Junior was winning for the first time since his debut maiden score in 2007, and he has now compiled a record of 15-2-3-2 with $337,305 in earnings. Fourth in the 2008 St. James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) and Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1), he concluded his three-year-old campaign with a runner-up effort in the Challenge S. (Eng-G2). The dark bay tried the Godolphin Mile at Nad al Sheba last year, but faded to 13th in the 15-horse field and was not seen again until August. Cat Junior racked up two more stakes placings, a near-miss second in the Park S. (Eng-G2) and a third in the Supreme S. (Eng-G3), and checked in fourth in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1). He tuned up for the Burj Nahaar with a pair of fifth-place performances at Meydan, the first in a turf handicap and the latter in a conditions event on the Tapeta.
Bred by March Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, Cat Junior brought $500,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, but failed to reach his reserve when attracting a $675,000 bid as a two-year-old in training at Fasig-Tipton Calder. His dam, French Group 1 heroine Luna Wells (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), is a half-sister to French classic winner and prominent sire Linamix (Mendez) as well as French champion juvenile colt Long Mick (Fr) (Gay Mecene). Cat Junior has a juvenile half-brother named Ouilly (Danehill Dancer).