Not all of the top juveniles of the Breeders’ Cup two-day World Championship competed on Future Star Friday.
Hall of Fame coach Bob Baffert revealed an exciting 2-year-old during day two of the Breeders’ Cup taking place Nov. Keenelandwith Zedan Racing Stables’ Arab Knights finished 7 wins 1/4 length in the opening match, the first race was worth $149,375.
Purchased for $2.3 million earlier this year from Top Line Sales at Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale for 2-year-olds in training, Uncle Mo’s pony has come to life. lofty hope.
He met that Saturday by taking the lead under John Velazquez and withdrawing with limited encouragement from the Walk of Fame jockey, completing seven long jumps in 1: 21.98. He paid $3.52 to win.
Velazquez told TVG: “I have to tell you, he is very impressive. “He reminds me of his father a lot.”
Velazquez is a regular racer of Uncle Mo 2010 male 2-year-old champion
#4 ARABIAN KNIGHT ($3.52) looks like every penny in Bob Baffert’s $2.3 million purchase. He goes wire to rope and dominates. It’s another UNCLE MO winner who stands @coolmoreamerica. HOF Jockey John Velazquez (@ljlmvel) started his day with a win. see more @fandueltv. pic.twitter.com/300VvzmL9U
– TVG (@TVG) November 5, 2022
When Zedan Racing Stables’ Amr Zedan began his interview with BloodHorse after the race, Baffert shouted, “Tell them they’re going to have to water the track because he’s dried it out,” an obvious reference to The pony is running like the wind.
“I have never attended one of my horses’ first victories,” said Zedan, a Saudi businessman. “I’m really happy to be here in Keeneland and see this promising prospect.”
Bred by Corser Thoroughbreds, the Arabian Knight was the first winner from two ponies created from non-winners. Astrology mare Borealis night . The other pony of the dam is a Quality Sugar colt was born this year.
Zedan praised his team in the selection of the Arabian Knights earlier this year after the pony’s quick performance at 9 4/5. Bloodstock agent Gary Young, with Baffert sitting with him, signed the pony at OBS. These are also connections made at the end of the year Medina Spirit, among other graded prize-winning horses, available to owners.
“We look at it from a business perspective. Obviously there’s a sports element, but from a business perspective it’s a portfolio,” Zedan said of reaching $2.3 million to buy. Arabian Knight. “Fortunately, I’m fortunate to have a great team with the people I work with, but above all, Bob.”
The foal does not appear to be a candidate for the 2023 Kentucky race presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), other than a change of coach, as Churchill Downs Inc. banned Baffert from competing at his tracks in the middle of next year. That action comes after Medina Spirit showed the presence of betamethasone in a banned race following the first round of the penalty box at the 2021 Kentucky Derby, one of the few post-race positives from coaching trainer for a period of one year. Medina Spirit was ultimately disqualified by the track managers, a ruling that is being appealed.
Arabian Knight could compete before the Derby, although not eligible for Kentucky Derby qualifying points, also due to CDI’s current Baffert ban.
The Southern California-based coach typically chooses to have one or more of his top 2-year-olds run at Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) 1/16th of a mile later in their teen season. That $200,000 race, which Baffert has won a record 13 times (including the win when the previous race was held at the now defunct Hollywood Park) is December 17.
