El Kabeir Narrowly Prevails in City of Laurel Stakes
El Kabeir Narrowly Prevails in City of Laurel Stakes
Page McKenney Dominates Richard Small Stakes
Pletcher-Trained Lost Raven Romps in Smart Halo Stakes
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LAUREL, MD – Zayat Stables’ El Kabeir came through as the even-money favorite to win Saturday’s $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes at Laurel Park, but the 3-year-old colt was pushed to the limit to prevail by a nose in a three-horse photo finish.
The victory was the son of Scat Daddy’s first since capturing the Gotham (G2) at Aqueduct in March and being scratched from the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) with an injury in his left-front foot. The Zayat Stable remained well-represented in the Derby with Bob Baffert-trained American Pharoah, who went on to sweep the Triple Crown and capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
El Kabeir was making his second start since returning from a 6 ½-month layoff to finish fifth in Bold Ruler (G1) at Belmont Oct. 31.
“We gave him a couple months off after the Derby. The Zayat family, obviously, had American Pharoah going through the summer, so we just gave this horse the proper rest. He had nine straight races from the time he started as a 2-year-old. We said, ‘Let’s let him grow up,’” trainer John Terranova said. “Since he came back training he hasn’t missed a beat. He ran a couple a weeks ago in the Bold Ruler – a tough race to come back in. Today, he had to grind it out a little late. Once we put him back in route races, that’s when I think we’ll see him coming back into top form.”
El Kabeir broke cleanly from the starting gate to gain an inside stalking position behind pacesetters Savoy Stomp and Roxbury N Overton in the seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds. Cornelio Velasquez sent El Kabeir between horses on the turn into the homestretch, and the Florida-bred colt dug in tenaciously in the stretch to eke out a victory with an outside drive. Roxbury N Overton, a 23-1 outsider ridden by Joshua Navarro, held on gamely, to finish second, a nose in front of Duff, who made a late drive along the rail under Daniel Centeno.
“My horse broke good and we got good position,” Velasquez said. “I think the horse is much better going long. Seven-eighths is too short for him. He’s a very good horse, but longer will be better.”
El Kabeir ran seven furlongs in 1:23.58 to register his fifth victory in 10 starts that include stakes scores in the Gotham, Jerome (G3) and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).
“He was so brilliant as a 2-year-old. Then, he learned to rate, stretch out and finish and as the distances increased, he was still successful,” Terranova said. “He really developed into that kind of runner and I think that’s what we’re going to see more of down the road.”
Terranova offered no immediate goals for El Kabeir.
“We’ll talk it over with the Zayats and see how he comes out of this race,” Terranova said. “We’re happy to get this one under his belt and happy to see him back in the winner’s circle.”
Page McKenney Dominates Richard Small Stakes
Adam Staple and Jalin Stable’s Page McKenney overwhelmed his seven rivals with a devastating stretch kick to win the $100,000 Richard W. Small Stakes by 4 ¾ lengths.
Claimed for $16,000 in July 2013, the 5-year-old gelding has gone on to win 12 races, including five stakes, and more than $800,000 since joining trainer Mary Eppler’s Maryland-based stable.
Page McKenney broke cleanly from the starting gate to get stalking position under jockey Horacio Karamanos around the first turn, rating a few lengths behind early pacesetter Service for Ten along the backstretch through first half-mile in a moderate 49.18 seconds. When asked for his run, the Pennsylvania-bred son of Eavesdropper made a three-wide sweep on the final turn to take the lead turning for home. Page McKenney drew off to a comfortable victory over late-running Strong Stipulation, who finished a length ahead of Catholic Cowboy.
The reformed claimer ran1 1/8 miles in 1:50.26.
“I tried to relax him and get him in a tactical position,” Karamanos said. “When I asked him at the 5/16ths-pole he gave me a kick in the stretch. He ran like a machine today. I love this horse. He’s one of my favorite horses to ride.”
The multiple graded stakes-placed winner, who has finished no worse than third in nine starts this year, was given a two-month freshening after being nosed out of a victory by Duff in the Roanoke Stakes at Parx on Sept. 5.
“I think he was a tired horse after his last race,” Eppler said. “I am just going to see how he comes out of this race.”
Jilan Stable’s Dr. James E. Bryant, who bred and owned Page McKenney pre-claim , was happy for the opportunity visit the winner’s circle with the resilient gelding.
“Everybody gets lucky once in a while. I know everybody says this, but we felt that he was something special from the beginning. Fortunately, Adam Staple was gracious enough to let us back in for a piece,” Bryant said. “Page is a good one, and we have got several other family members coming along.”
Pletcher-Trained Lost Raven Romps in Smart Halo Stakes
Saturday’s stakes action was kicked off by Todd Pletcher-trained Lost Raven’s three-length romp in the $100,000 Smart Halo Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Repole Stable’s homebred filly stalked the early pace before drawing off to complete six furlongs in 1:11.09 under Manuel Franco. Twirl Girl checked in second behind the 4-5 favorite, 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Table Jumper in the third race of the day.
