The American hopeful did not win the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, but a horse by a hot young American sire did as Golden Vekoma ran down Japan's Shin Forever in the long stretch drive to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
And the Dubai-based winner could be headed home to the Bluegrass if he can repeat this performance in another major Middle Eastern race in six weeks.
Golden Vekoma, by Vekoma , trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, scored his third straight win in the Feb. 22 Derby and likely is on course to tackle the UAE Derby (G2) at his home track April 5. Under the qualifying points system used by Churchill Downs, that race effectively is a "Win and You're In" for the Kentucky Derby.
With Connor Beasley in the irons, Golden Vekoma raced prominently in the nine-horse field as Shin Forever set a brisk pace. Beasley had his mount on the rail early but swung out around the turn to elude kickback and gain running room.
He mounted his challenge early in the long stretch run and, despite failing to change off his left lead, Golden Vekoma wore down the Japanese rival for a convincing victory. He was timed covering 1,600 meters (about one mile) in 1:38.19.
"Put it down to running on a deeper surface for the first time," Beasley said of the lack of a lead change in the stretch. "He's done it impressively, beaten some good horses.
"He got a little bit of kickback on the backstretch but when I got him in the clear, he relaxed."
Shin Forever finished second with local runner Mhally third.
Shin Forever, a Complexity colt bred in Kentucky by Airdrie Stud's Bret Jones, gave American-breds a sweep of the exacta. The only American-trained runner, Cyclone State, did not fire and finished last.
Vekoma, North America's 2024 leading first-crop sire, stands this year for $35,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, Ky. Graded stakes winner Jonathan's Way is another promising 3-year-old for the young stallion.
Bin Harmash bought Golden Vekoma for $90,000 at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training during his annual buying tour because "I like to look for young sires with potential. I liked how this one looked."
Golden Vekoma was sold at OBS out of the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment.
Asked if he might look for more Vekoma progeny in next year's sales, he paused.
"Might be more expensive, " he said.
Bred by Woods Edge Farm, Golden Vekoma is out of the stakes-winning Stevie Wonderboy mare Sticks Wondergirl. The mare has now produced four winners from four foals to race, including 2024 stakes winner Midshipman's Dance
Asked about plans, Bin Harmash said the UAE Derby is a logical next step for Golden Vekoma. He was more coy about the prospect of a trip to Churchill Downs, hedging with a common refrain.
"I need to talk to go back and talk to the owner (Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi). We'll see after the UAE Derby," he said. "I do like to buy in the U.S., race in the Middle East, and then take the horses back to America."
Golden Vekoma finished a well-beaten third in his career debut, a one-mile affair at Meydan Racecourse. He rebounded from that with a 2 1/4-length victory in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial Jan. 3 and then won the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (G3) Jan. 24 by 1 1/2 lengths.
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