Daddy Long Legs took over from Helmet entering the Meydan homestretch and drew off powerfully from there to win the $2,000,000 UAE Derby (UAE-II) in highly impressive fashion, possibly stamping himself a ticket to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in the process.
Ridden to victory by C. O'Donoghue, Daddy Long Legs settled into the second position early on, just off of pace-setting Helmet. Wrote, winner of the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I), was racing three wide in fourth early on, with Red Duke also up close. Mickdaam and Lucky Chappy were toward the rear of the field.
The positions remained relatively unchanged until the field rounded the far turn, where Daddy Long Legs made a bold run to take command from Helment. The latter colt offered little resistance, and soon gave way to finish well behind.
This left Daddy Long Legs on the lead with no one really coming on to challenge. Wrote was staying on gamely on the far outside, and Yang Tse Kiang was charging late, but Daddy Long Legs held them all off easily to win in good fashion.
Tang Tse Kiang edged out Wrote for second, while Mickdaam overcame traffic turning for home to finish fourth. Lucky Chappy never threatened.
The winner is trained by Aiden O'Brien and owned by Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith. The final time for the 1,900 meter distance (about 1 3/16th miles) was 1:58.35.
-Keelerman
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