Desert Party pulled away for a 4-length win in the UAE 2000 Guineas on Thursday.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Desert Party took charge in the 1-mile (1,600-meter) race at Nad al Sheba, beating Regal Ransom, which was also owned by Sheik Mohammed's Godolphin Racing.
Redding Colliery was third in the Group 3 race, and Kentucky Derby hopeful Vineyard Haven was fourth, fading on the home straight in the gray colt's 3-year-old debut.
Vineyard Haven, a top 2-year-old who won the Hopeful Stakes and the Champagne Stakes, was purchased for a reported $12 million in November by the sheik and sent to Dubai to train for the Derby in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2.
''I am disappointed with Vineyard Haven,'' trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. ''He did not show up well this morning, and we were hoping he will be better this evening. That was not the case.''
He added he was ''delighted'' by Desert Party's effort -- the bay colt's fourth win in five career starts. Desert Party has a 2-1 record over Vineyard Haven, having won the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga last July and finished sixth to him in the Hopeful.
Vineyard Haven, previously owned and trained by Bobby Frankel, got off to a quick start under Ted Durcan but never challenged for the lead on a windy night of racing. |
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Article Source: USA Today
