Yaupon Leads American Challenge For Golden Shaheen

[Wandering Eyes]

The $1.5-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen–in its conventional dirt runnings–has been largely dominated by US-based gallopers, as those trained in the States have annexed four of the last five renewals and a dozen overall. Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Yaupon (Uncle Mo) will look to bounce back from a disappointing eighth-place effort as the favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November while making his 4-year-old debut Saturday evening.

The Steve Asmussen trainee shot into national prominence last summer, winning his first four trips to the races, including a victory in the GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga in August, where he had 'TDN Rising Star' Premier Star (Tapiture) four lengths back in third. An easy winner of the GIII Chick Lang S. Oct. 1, he was unable to flaunt his trademark speed from a high draw and was beaten over six lengths in the finish. His trackwork at his winter base at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans has been strong, but there are hurdles to overcome as one of the betting choices in the Shaheen.

Wildman Jack (Goldencents) made history at the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival, becoming the first American-trained horse to win on the turf at Meydan, taking out the G3 Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint in impressive fashion. A date in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint was dashed by COVID-19 and he returns here as a dirt horse, having posted a convincing victory in the GIII Palos Verdes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 23. He could help fuel what appears to be a high-octane pace.

Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) carries a two-race winning streak into the Shaheen. The 6-year-old annexed a course-and-distance handicap during the Carnival Feb. 4 and was most recently able to reel Good Effort (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal S. on Super Saturdah. The latter set a searching gallop on that occasion to just miss, and Frankie Dettori can be expected to use that speed from the inside barrier in the Shaheen.

Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) led home a Japanese-trained 1-2 finish in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 20, charging home down the centre of the track beneath William Buick to hand Matera Sky (Speightstown) a second consecutive narrow defeat in the race. The Japanese contingent is rounded out by Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Red Le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), first and second, respectively, in the G3 Capella S. last December.

Switzerland (Speightstown), formerly based in the US with Asmussen before arriving in Dubai in 2019, returned from a 10 1/2-month absence and a gelding procedure to win the G3 Dubawi S. Jan. 21, but failed to take advantage of a perfect trip in the Riyadh Sprint and could do no better than fourth.

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