Dubai - the countdown

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Obrigado!

Here... the press release...


Obrigado joins cast for Dubai Sheema Classic

French-bred Obrigado, who scored the most significant win of his career in the San Luis Obispo Handicap (Gr.2) at Santa Anita Park on February 25, is poised make his next start in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1).

Trainer Neil Drysdale confirmed on Monday that the four-year-old son of Enrique will be sent to Dubai for the US$5-million race at 2,400 meters. The distance should be no problem for Obrigado, who won the San Luis Obispo going a comparable route.

“I like the way he ran the other day going 1 ½ miles,” Drysdale said.

“We’ve never traveled him before, but I think he’ll take the trip (to Dubai) well,” he added. “He’s a gelding and he’s quite sensible.”

After beginning his career in France, where he won three of seven races, Obrigado was sent to the United States last year and now races for Peter Vegso, publisher of the Chicken Soup series of inspirational books, and Gary Seidler.

Obrigado showed immediately that he could be a more than competent turf performer in the U.S., finishing third in his first start, the Will Rogers Stakes (Gr.3), and later winning a division of the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar.

In his next three races, he reeled off a string of frustrating but profitable seconds in the Del Mar Derby (Gr.2), Oak Tree Derby (Gr.2) and the Hollywood Derby (Gr.1).

While Obrigado obviously has found his best stride and seems to be improving, Drysdale conceded that he will be a long shot in the competitive Dubai Sheema Classic, which he said is shaping up as “a very strong race” with the likes of Epsom Derby (Gr.1) winner Sir Percy and Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr.1) winner Red Rocks.

Drysdale sent Obrigado out for a six-furlong drill on Sunday over the Santa Anita turf course, and the gelding was timed in 1:18.20, which Drysdale indicated was just what he wanted.

(UAE - no author listed)