MARCIE HEACOX 2006 TRIPLE CROWN NOTEBOOK

Weekend Roundup

Saturday March 25, 2006

By Marcie Heacox

Nad Al Sheba Racecourse - Dubai, U.A.E.

U.A.E. Derby

Discreet Cat was anything but discreet in winning the U.A.E. Derby (gr. II) by 6 widening lengths on Saturday. The bay colt by Forestry was previously owned by Joyce Robsham and trained by Stanley Hough, and was purchased by Godolphin after breaking his maiden at Saratoga as a two-year-old.  He did not disappoint for rider Frankie Dettori and trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who also won the night’s Dubai World Cup (gr. I) with Electrocutionist. Second-place finisher Testimony is also raced by those connections, while third-place finisher Flamme De Passion ran for Japanese connections. The winning time for the 1 1/8 miles over a fast track was 1:48:59. Godolphin has not yet determined if Discreet Cat will be pointed to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

Turfway Park - Florence, KY

Lane’s End Stakes

With A City came into the Derby picture with a Lanes End Stakes (gr. II) win at considerably high odds...48-1. Trainer Mike Maker put blinkers on the chestnut colt for the first time, and it paid off as he won the first major Polytrack prep race in history by 1 1/4 lengths. Jockey Brice Blanc set up a mid-pack trip and steady stretch drive to win the race for owner Ron Peltz. Seaside Retreat and Malameeze finished second and third, respectively. The winning time was 1:51 on the all-weather surface that is always rated fast.

Rushaway Stakes

High Cotton won the 1 1/16 mile Rushaway Stakes (ungraded) by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:45. Jockey Chris Decarlo rode him to a predominantly front running victory. Special Interest finished second, and Bear Character finished third. Trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Peachtree Stables have not yet decided on their next move with the bay son of Dixie Union.