American Dubai future options include turf

There’s a new leader in the handicap ranks in New Mexico.

American Dubai has now won two of the state’s three major races for the division and has his sights set on a sweep later this year in the Zia Park Distance Championship. But before then, the winner of the recent $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap could turn up at either Churchill Downs or Remington Park.

American Dubai emerged from his nine-length win in Albuquerque on Aug. 5 in good order, said trainer Rodney Richards, and he could make his next start in either the $175,000 Governor’s Cup on Sept. 24 at Remington Park or the Grade 3, $100,000 Ack Ack on Sept. 30 at Churchill.

“We might even try him on turf,” Richards said. “He kind of has turf action.”

Richards said to that end, American Dubai also would be considered for the $100,000 Remington Park Green on Sept. 24.

American Dubai won New Mexico’s first major handicap race of the season in April, when he darted to a four-length victory in the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap. He returned to the state for the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap, capturing the 1 1/8-mile race with a Beyer Speed Figure of 97. American Dubai was prominent from the start and increased his advantage through the stretch to defeat a field that included millionaire Texas Chrome.

“He pulled away and kept on going and going and going,” Richards said.

Richards said the Governor’s Cup is a serious consideration because it will be run at the same 1 1/8-mile distance and would not be a far ship from American Dubai’s intended fall base of Zia Park. The Ack Ack is appealing for the chance at a graded win and a mile distance should suit American Dubai well, Richards said.

Richards said long range, the Zia Park Distance Championship, a race traditionally run over 1 1/8 miles in late November, is a goal. He noted Zia, located in Hobbs, N.M., is the home track for American Dubai’s owners, Richard and Sharon Keith.

“That’s their hometown,” Richards said.