The 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan began earlier today with a seven-race card highlighted by the group II Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented by Longines. As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, prominent entrants included Dubai Creek Mile winner Surfer and 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) winner Outstrip.
Although Outstrip failed to fire in his first start on dirt, finishing eleventh in a field of fifteen, Surfer came through with an impressive performance to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Saving ground throughout while tracking the pace, Surfer made a strong run along the rail to challenge for the lead after six furlongs, then out-dueled Frankyfourfingers in the final quarter mile to win the 1600-meter race in the respectable time of 1:38.218 seconds. Haatheq, runner-up in the 2013 Godolphin Mile (UAE-II), put in a good run from way back to finish third.
Surfer is an American-bred son of Distorted Humor out of the Ocean Crest mare Surf Club. Owned by Zabeel Racing Corporation and trained by Satish Seemar, the six-year-old gelding was ridden to victory by Richard Smullen.
Earlier on the card, the former American runner Le Bernardin rallied to finish a good third in a 1900-meter handicap race on the dirt track. The winner was the Irish-bred I'm Back, who edged Henry Clay in a thrilling stretch run.
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