Calming Influence gets al Zarooni off the mark in Godolphin Mile

Calming Influence gets al Zarooni off the mark in Godolphin

Mile

Instead, Le Drakkar (Anabaa) took up the pacesetting role, closely tracked on

the outside by Calming Influence. Cat Junior rushed up along the fence to race

just behind the leader, but he never looked entirely comfortable. Likewise,

favored Desert Party (Street Cry [Ire]) was treading water farther back on the

outside, and by the time the field swung for home, it was clear that he would

not be the one to strike for Godolphin in its eponymous race.

Meanwhile, the royal blue silks were being carried to much greater effect by

Calming Influence. Brushing aside Le Drakkar with authority, the bay stole a

march on the closers and stormed well clear. Green Coast rallied from the back

of the pack for second, but never got close enough to threaten seriously the

one-length winner. Calming Influence toured the metric mile on the Tapeta in

1:36 2/5.

Skysurfers (E Dubai), another Godolphin colorbearer who had been following

Desert Party early, switched to the inside in the drive and stayed on well for

third. Japanese shipper Glorious Noah (Precise End) came next in fourth.

Forgotten Voice (Danehill Dancer), Kalahari Gold (Trans Island), Lucky Find

(Rich Man's Gold), Vesuve (Green Tune), Cat Junior, Le Drakkar, Desert Party,

Summit Surge (Noverre), Consul General (Selkirk) and Jet Express (Jet Master)

completed the order of finish.

Calming Influence boosted his bankroll to $850,301 from his 14-5-2-1 line.

Successful in the 2008 King Charles II S. and Prix de Tourgeville, he had

endured a seven-race losing streak, which was finally snapped with a 6

1/4-length triumph in a handicap at this track and trip on February 18.

Bred by Mrs. Helen Lyons in Ireland, Calming Influence is out of the winning

Idilic Calm (Ire) (Indian Ridge), making him a half-brother to Canadian Grade 2

hero Steel Light (Stravinsky). This is the family of Grade 1 star and $2 million

earner Twilight Agenda (Devil's Bag); multiple Group 1 winner Refuse to Bend

(Ire) (Sadler's Wells), victorious in the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1);

Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) hero Media Puzzle (Theatrical [Ire]); Belmont S. (G1)

scorer Go and Go (Ire) (Be My Guest); and current Group 1 victor Casual Conquest

(Hernando [Fr]).