Dubai: The Gulf News-sponsored Dubai Golden Shaheen ended with another exciting finish as Big City Man came up with a second run to stave off the filly Indian Blessing and saved the blushes for the 10 other boys in this sprint contest.
The packed crowd at the Nad Al Sheba gave the large group from Saudi Arabia headed by Big City Man owner Prince Sultan Mohammad Saud Al Kabeer a thunderous applause after the win helped trainer Jerry Barton realise his dream of a win on Dubai World Cup night.
The Bob Baffert-trained Indian Blessing was the hot favourite having won nine of her 12 starts and finished second in the remaining three and looked like ending the reign of the boys in this 6-furlong sprint.
The 4-year-old bay filly just about edged past Big City Man and for a few strides it looked like she would carry Edgar Prado to the finish. But Jose Verenzuela asked his horse for the effort and the big-striding 4-year-old colt challenged the leader and then pulled away to win and re-assert America's hold over the Gulf News-sponsored sprint.
Indian Blessing finished second while Godolphin's Diabolical under Dettori improved on his 7th place finish last year to a third yesterday while Japanese debutant trainer Akio Adachi saddled the fourth-placed runner Bamboo Ere.
Big City Man, who posted commanding wins in his first two starts in the UAE was later beaten Gayego on Super Thursday but his effort on Saturday drew praise from Verenzuela.
"He's a fighter and he proved this tonight. He was off a bit slow, but suddenly he sensed Indian Blessing was somewhere close, so he picked up right in time. She [Indian Blessing] was coming good, but we were already there He was simply awesome to respond in that manner," said Verenzuela.
"I think it was a perfect ride and it was finally left up to his mood today. I went and saw him this morning and took him out for a while and he showed me he was in a good mood. Given the type of horse he is, he does not have to be in front. He loves staying behind the pace and then comes through. He does this all the time," the winning jockey added.
Barton was equally elated and said he could not wait for the party later in the night.
"It feels so good; I can't describe what I feel to have my first winner on such a big race night. This is what dreams are made up of," Barton said.
"I had always dreamt about this feeling and tonight this dream has come true. I am so proud of this horse and the stable guys and everyone else. I am a bit too emotional about this win,' he added.
Race 4. Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1)
Sponsored by Gulf News
Thoroughbreds
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1,200m (6f)
1. BIG CITY MAN (trained by Jerry Barton) ridden by Jose Verenzuela
2. INDIAN BLESSING (Bob Baffert) Edgar Prado
3. DIABOLICAL (Saeed Bin Surour) Lanfranco Dettori
4. BAMBOO ERE (Akio Adachi) Yutake Take.
Also ran: Force Freeze, Lucky Quality, Change Alley, Black Seventeen, Marchand D'Or, Balthazaar's Gift, Machismo, Hammadi,
Distances: 1.25 lengths, 5L, 0.50L
Time: 1min 08.93 secs.
Winner owned by Prince Sultan Mohammad Saud Al Kabeer and trained in Saudi Arabia.
