Asiatic Boy reigns supreme in U.A.E. Derby

Asiatic Boy romped in the U.A.E. Derby (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's ASIATIC BOY (Not for Sale) stamped

himself as an international superstar by annihilating the field in Saturday's $2

million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba. Trained by Mike de Kock and

ridden by Weichong Marwing, the Argentinean-bred bay turned the 1 1/8-mile

affair into a procession in the stretch, galloping clear by 9 1/2 lengths in a

final time of 1:48 4/5 on the fast track.

"It was awesome," Marwing said. "It was a competitive field and he

(came) out on top and is the best horse I have ridden."

Asiatic Boy was parked out wide while attending the early pace set by

Rallying Cry (War Chant). Entering the lane, Asiatic Boy cruised up to join the

longtime leader, and the proverbial handwriting was on the wall. He rapidly

dispatched Rallying Cry without seeming to come out of second gear, and from

that point forward, he routed his toiling opponents.

The others never landed a blow. Jack Junior (Songandaprayer), still a maiden,

fared best of the rest in second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Adil (Torrey Canyon).

Next came a game Rallying Cry, Victory Tetsuni (Gone West), Traffic Guard (More

Than Ready), Eu Tambem (Wild Event), Joe Louis (Lode), Day Pass (Five Star Day),

Folk (Quiet American), Seal Point (Point Given), Bartola (Roy) and Greetings

(Choctaw Ridge).