Benbatl delivers in Singspiel Stakes

Heavily favored Benbatl cruised to victory Thursday at Meydan in the Group 2, $250,000 Singspiel Stakes, but heavily favored North America went down to defeat in the Grade 2, $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1.

North America was given an ambitious ride by Richard Mullen, who came with a major early move in this one-turn dirt mile to make the front after Heavy Metal had been sent hard for the lead. North America and Heavy Metal went hard at it through the first 800 meters and the pace took its toll on both horses. Heavy Metal wound up last, while the speed duel cost North America a win in his first start since a seventh-place finish in the Dubai World Cup last March. North America fought on gamely but wound up on the back end of a three-horse photo finish as Kimbear, slogging away between North America on the rail and Secret Ambition to his outside, came out on the right end of a head bob to defeat Secret Ambition by a nose.

Trained by Doug Watson for Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuimi, Kimbear was ridden by Pat Dobbs, getting 1600 meters over a fast track on a showery evening in 1:37.56. Kimbear, by Temple City out of Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa, began his career in California before being sold and sent to Dubai, where he raced during the 2018 and 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Benbatl, a Group 1 winner, never had an anxious moment in the Singpiel, an 1,800-meter turf race with just four other runners after Dream Castle was scratched. Benbatl raced forwardly from the start under Christophe Soumillon and won by 4 3/4 lengths in a glorified workout. Benbatl is by Dubawi out of Nahrain, by Selkirk, and while he won the Group 1, $6 million Dubai Turf in 2018, that middle-term potential target was described by trainer Saeed bin Suroor as “one option” for Benbatl’s winter and spring campaign, perhaps leaving the door ajar for a run at the $10 million World Cup itself. Benbatl only has raced on turf during his career.

The $100,000 UAE 2000 Guineas Trial also ended in a three-horse photo finish as Commanding edged Al Modayar and closing Dark of Night in what appeared to be a modest edition of another 1,600-meter dirt race.

Zakouski, however, looked like a Carnival horse to follow for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby winning a 1,600-meter turf handicap by nearly four lengths under William Buick. Four-year-old Zakouski, making just his third career start and first since being gelded, probably doesn’t want more than one mile and will be aimed toward the Al Fahidi Fort over 1,400 meters, Appleby said.