Fore Left Rolls In The UAE 2000 Guineas

February 6, 2020

Fore Left

Photo: Erika Rasmussen

The $250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) over 1600m on dirt was a classic worth remembering, as Reddam Racing’s Fore Left overcame post 14 of 16 to make all under William Buick and win in determined style by 1¾ lengths. The final time was 1:38.43 after setting strong fractions of 24.08 (no run-up) and 46.45 for the first 400m and 800m. Zabardast was a hard-charging third under Mickael Barzalona, while the Satish Seemar-trained pair of Emblem Storm and Lake Causeway completed the top four with one length between them.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Fore Left became the earliest-ever American to win during the DWC Carnival and first Group winner, while winning his third career stakes race. The son of Twirling Candy won Belmont Park’s Tremont Stakes last summer and this past autumn’s Sunny Slope at Del Mar.

“Doug O’Neill and his team were very confident that this horse had more speed than any other horse in this race, which he showed, but of course, I had to work hard and it took me a long time to eventually get across,” Buick said. “He set good fractions, got a little bit of a breather on the turn and then kicked again. He’s just a very game, honest horse who stuck on very well. He’s got a lot of speed and stayed the mile. I guess they’ll be pointing him to the (1900m $2.5 million) UAE Derby (G2) now, which is another furlong and a half, so we’ll see about that. It was a huge performance from the horse to get where he did, from where he did and in the manner he did. He got there within himself and put himself in a position after three furlongs to control the race, but it took a good horse to do it and that’s what he is.”

“That was so cool,” said O’Neill via phone while connecting flights in Texas. “I was absolutely going nuts and I’m so happy for Mr. Reddam and for my whole team. I am so proud to be part of a great team with Leandro (Mora, assistant) and Tony Romero and the entire team there and back home in California. What an awesome experience. With the post and the way the race was run with a little bend before the backstretch, he had to work a little extra-hard to get into position, so that was very impressive—but that’s why William is a top jockey. He did exactly what he had to do and didn’t overdo it. He got a little tired late, but probably had a lot to do with what I just mentioned and that he had two months off. This race will do him a world of good. After this, we will see how he comes out. If he’s diving into his feed tub, we may run him one more time (in the $350,000 Al Bastakiya on March 7), but if for any reason he shows fatigue, we’ll wait for the Derby. Dubai has made it so easy for us to relax and enjoy this and I’m a big believer that horses are a reflection of the people around them and this has been a great experience.”

@jonathanstettin #2 Ettalusive ran big to finish 2nd in Gulf Stream 3rd 16-1

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