Godolphin Stable’s Regal Ransom is likely to return
to graded stakes competition after winning Wednesday’s fourth race, an optional
claimer at 1 1/8th miles on the main track, by 3 ¼ lengths in
gate-to-wire fashion.
A winner of the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby and Grade 2 Super Derby
in 2009, Regal Ransom went to the shelf after finishing eighth in the Breeders’
Cup Classic and was fourth in his return effort, the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap
at Belmont Park on July 3.
“We thought the comeback spot was a good place to run, but
the one turn mile and an eighth clearly makes it tough on a horse like him,”
said Rick Mettee, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “In a race like
[today’s], you can steal away a length or two just on the turn.”
Mettee was pleased with the way the way Regal Ransom settled
on the lead in today’s race and added that the colt could make his next start
in the Grade 2 Kelso on the main track at Belmont
on October 3.
“He had his ears pricked out of the gate, and I thought he
relaxed a lot better than he did first time out,” said Mettee. “He’s a fast
little horse, so he’s always going to take a little bit of a pull. It was good
that he was able to get in a small field without a lot of pace in there because
he’s been in some tough spots, so it’s good for him to win a race again.”
Godolphin’s Sara Louise, who missed the Grade 2
Honorable Miss on August 8 with a minor injury, is aiming for the Grade 2
Gallant Bloom at Belmont
on September 5 and turned in a 48.00 four-furlong breeze over the Greentree
Training Center Polytrack yesterday.
“She bruised her foot while training earlier in the meet,
causing her to miss the Honorable Miss,” said Mettee. “That was her first
breeze back, and we thought the synthetic would be easier for her. We’ll probably
give her another breeze or two at Greentree before we send her to Belmont.”