Handicap Diary

HANDICAP DIARY

MARCH 31, 2006

by James Scully

The Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) attracted five U.S.-based horses to

Dubai, but top honors went to ELECTROCUTIONIST (Red Ransom), who was bred in

Kentucky but has never started in the United States. A five-year-old, the former

Italian-based horse had raced exclusively on turf until making his 2006 debut in

the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 S. (UAE-G2) on March 2 for new owner Godolphin.

The Saeed bin Suroor trainee passed that test by seven lengths and stepped up to

face much better rivals in the Dubai World Cup.

With no horse winning from post 1 in 10 previous runnings, Electrocutionist

appeared up against it entering the Dubai World Cup, and he got shuffled back

soon after the start under Frankie Dettori. He was under a ride to reach

contention by the far turn at Nad al Sheba and found

another gear in midstretch, overhauling a game BRASS HAT (Prized) with a strong

late burst to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths. Racing Manager Simon Crisford

confirmed that Electrocutionist will be pointed toward this year's Breeders' Cup

Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, but the bay horse will return to the turf first

for a summer campaign in Europe.

Brass Hat gave an excellent account of himself in his first start at 1 1/4

miles and will be aimed toward the Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill Downs on

June 17. The Bill Bradley-trained gelding looks like a major presence wherever he

appears the rest of the year. WILKO (Awesome Again), who loomed as a serious

factor for the win in upper stretch before weakening late in the Dubai World

Cup, finished a good third in his best performance since capturing the 2004

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He's slated to stay in Europe with trainer Jeremy

Noseda and could ship in for the Metropolitan Mile (G1) on May 29. MAGNA GRADUATE

(Honor Grades) showed speed early and held to be a solid fourth in Dubai.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said the Grade 2 winner exited his first attempt at 10

furlongs in good order and could return to the races shortly in the United

States. The remaining American invaders, SUPER FROLIC (Pine Bluff) and CHOCTAW

NATION (Louis Quatorze), got only hot and sweaty, finishing ninth and 10th,

respectively.

Following a couple of uneventful weeks for older dirt horses stateside, the

racing action picks up this weekend. Last year's Blue Grass S. (G1) hero BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus), who underwent surgery following his unplaced finish

in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and missed the rest of 2005, will make his second

start of the year in Saturday's Skip Away H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The

Pletcher charge, who returned to the races with a fast 3 3/4-length win over

allowance/optional claimers on March 1, will square off against last year's

Florida Derby (G1) runner-up, NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway), in the 1

1/8-mile Skip Away. The Nick Zito-trained Noble Causeway also exits an

allowance/optional claiming win at Gulfstream. Santa Anita will host the 1

1/8-mile Tokyo City H. (G3) on Saturday, and Richard Mandella will saddle

two of the main contenders in CONGRATS (A.P. Indy) and EL ROBLAR (War Chant)

On April 8, the Oaklawn H. (G2) will take place in Hot Springs,

Arkansas. PURIM (Dynaformer), who earned his first graded win on the dirt when

taking the Razorback Breeders' Cup H. (G3) in authoritative fashion last out, is

the top local hope for the 1 1/8-mile test. Possible shippers include Santa

Anita H. (G1) runner-up MAGNUM (Arg) (El Compinche) and 2005 Santa Anita Derby

(G1) victor BUZZARDS BAY (Marco Bay). The latter exits a four-length tally in

the All American H. (G3) for trainer Ron Ellis.

In other news, BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]), winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup

(G1) and Pacific Classic (G1) last year, has been sidelined due a chip in his

right ankle and will undergo surgery. Trainer Beau Greely hopes to have Borrego

ready to run by Del Mar.