2008 Arkansas Derby Winner, Gayego, Takes Ancient Title at Santa Anita

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

from brisnet.com 

Godolphin Racing's Gayego rallied from next to last in Sunday's $300,000 Ancient Title Stakes at Santa Anita, circled the entire field rounding the turn and ran off down the middle of the track to record an easy 1 1/4-length victory under jockey Garrett Gomez. Making just his second start off a near five-month break, the Saeed bin Suroor charge finished up in 1:08 1/5 for six furlongs on the Pro-Ride.

"The race went as I expected," bin Suroor said. "Before the race I told the jockey to make a wide move. I told him, it depends on how fast they go, but if he could get him in a good position, it would be great for him...He handled the surface here very well.

"Now, we'll take him to the Breeders' Cup Sprint. We'll keep the options open (regarding the Dirt Mile), but more likely, the Sprint."

Gomez settled Gayego near the back as Red Arrow rushed to the front and set splits of :21 3/5 and :44 2/5. That one couldn't withstand the onslaught of the field, though, and was quickly overwhelmed exiting the turn. By that point, Gayego was cruising down the center of the track and effortlessly drew off to score his third graded win. Sent off the 6-5 favorite against nine rivals, the dark bay colt returned $4.40, $3.20 and $2.80.

"These guys know their horses," Gomez said. "I wasn't surprised that he settled as well as he did because they said he would. They told me to just take my time with him and get him up under me and he'd come home no problem. I just didn't know how much of a turn of foot he'd have, but he answered that question."

Crown of Thorns, who returned off a 19-month layoff last out to run third against allowance/optional claiming rivals, ran well to take down second by a half-length over Delta Storm, paying $6.20 and $5.40 at 8-1. Cost of Freedom, winner of this race last year and fourth last out in the Pirate's Bounty S. in his return from the near year-long break, rounded out the superfecta. 

Gayego made a name for himself as a sophomore, setting a new track record when taking the San Pedro S. and finishing second in the San Felipe S. Then trained by Paulo Lobo, the colt was sent to Oaklawn and rewarded the decision with a victory in the Arkansas Derby. He didn't do so well in his Triple Crown bid, running 17th in the Kentucky Derby and 11th in the Preakness S., and was given the summer off. A seventh in the Damascus S. followed in his return in late October, but he got back to his winning ways next out to take an allowance/optional claimer at Hollywood Park, establishing another track record.

Purchased by Godolphin soon after that impressive victory, Gayego showed up during the Dubai International Racing Carnival and immediately added a win in the Mahab Al Shimaal to his line. The now four-year-old rallied to finish second in the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Day, then was given a lengthy break. Returning on August 17 at Saratoga, the dark bay overcame a bobbling break and being forced to check to score in his return. The winner's share from the Ancient Title boosts his earnings to $1,299,620, and his line now stands at 13-7-3-0