Salloom | Dubai Racing Club
The Exciting Road to the Kentucky Derby Begins
The anticipation surrounding the Kentucky Derby grows as two significant races—the Euro/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby—kick off this week. On Friday, the $217,760 Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby will take place at Meydan Racecourse, while on Sunday, the $245,100 Listed Hyacinth Stakes will be run at Tokyo Racecourse. Each event is crucial for horses aiming to secure their spot in the prestigious Derby.
Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby: Key Contenders
Scheduled as the seventh race in an eight-race card at Meydan, the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby will feature a noteworthy competitor: Salloom. This promising horse, owned by King Abdullah Bin A/Aziz and Sons, is on the radar after displaying impressive potential. Although the race will miss the presence of Six Sense, this year’s G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner, Salloom has made headlines thanks to his impressive performance.
After a rocky beginning at the gate that led to a late December scratch, Salloom successfully debuted on January 30 with a stunning win in a one-mile maiden race. The strapping bay, a $600,000 OBS March breezer and $175,000 Keeneland September yearling, took charge of the race, finishing almost seven lengths ahead of his competitors. His performance was praised, earning him the title of ‘TDN Rising Star’ presented by Hagyard.
“Salloom is doing great and I think he came out of the last race really well,” trainer Bhupat Seemar shared. He expressed optimism about Salloom’s readiness for the upcoming race but also highlighted a concern regarding his gate behavior. “I hope he behaves in the gate—that’s the biggest thing,” he added, pointing out the importance of a smooth start.
Spotlight on the Hyacinth Stakes
Meanwhile, the Hyacinth Stakes, set for Sunday, is generating interest with its intriguing field. Koichi Nishikawa’s Arcadia Cafe is likely to be the favorite. This horse, an offspring of the reputable Into Mischief, aims to continue the family’s success by following in the footsteps of his siblings, Cafe Pharoah and Luxor Cafe, who have both won this race in the past.
Arcadia Cafe’s credentials are strong, having secured a victory by 2 1/2 lengths in a one-turn mile at Tokyo on November 1. His most recent outing saw him finishing third in the Cattleya Stakes, where he placed behind Satono Voyage—who recently competed in the G3 Saudi Derby—and a surprising outsider, Don Erectus, also entered in the Hyacinth.
In this competitive field, Arcadia Cafe will be ridden by Rachel King, who has experience riding in high-stakes races and previously piloted Luxor Cafe.
Rising Competitors
Four other horses that recently emerged victorious will also strive for success at the Hyacinth. Among them, Iterrasshai stands out after winning a Nakayama maiden by a notable five lengths following a commendable debut. Additionally, Yu Pharoah, a son of turf Grade III-placed Limari, will be transitioning to dirt racing for the first time, adding an interesting element to the stakes.
With the Hyacinth Stakes being the third of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the stakes are high for these young competitors. The winners of these pivotal races will gain valuable points needed to secure a slot in the prestigious Derby.
Conclusion
As the Dubai and Japan roads to the Kentucky Derby unfold, all eyes will be on the performances of horses like Salloom and Arcadia Cafe. With their potential and the stakes involved, these upcoming races promise to deliver excitement for horse racing enthusiasts and a glimpse of what lies ahead in the race for Derby glory.
