California Spangle enjoys cutback, sets course record in Al Quoz Sprint

Prior to Saturday’s Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, California Spangle had not raced at six furlongs since early 2022.

The veteran gelding not only took to a distance shorter than his recent starts, but did so in the best performance of his 25-race career.

Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, California Spangle (who paid $6.10 in American pools) was prominent throughout the race on a straightaway course and held off a late threat from 2-1 Star of Mystery to win by three-quarters of a length.

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The winning time of 1:07.50 was a course record even though the Meydan turf course was listed as good. The previous mark of 1:07.61 was set by Wildman Jack in 2020.

California Spangle, who was sent off as the favorite in American pools but was 6-1 with British bookmakers, took the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining.

“This is something you dream of,” Avdulla told an international television audience. “I knew he could sustain his speed and it worked out well.”

Star of Mystery, one of two 3-year-old fillies racing against older horses, closed well from the back of a field of 12 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of 26-1 Diligent Harry.

Casa Creed, unraced since a third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last November, finished sixth for trainer Bill Mott. Casa Creed (9-1) was beaten three lengths by California Spangle, closing some ground in the final furlong.

California Spangle, a 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Starspangledbanner, has raced at seven furlongs or a mile in recent years.

Trained by Tony Cruz for the family of the late Howard Liang of Hong Kong, Califonria Spangle has won 13 races. California Spangle ended a four-race losing streak with a one-length win in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at seven furlongs at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on March 10.

California Spangle is scheduled to return to Hong Kong where a start in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at six furlongs at Sha Tin on April 28 will be considered.

Star of Mystery, a winner of 4 of 9 starts, has the BC Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2 as a long-range goal, according to trainer Charlie Appleby.

Tower of London takes Gold Cup

Tower of London was the last of three horses to lead in the stretch of Saturday’s Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at two miles at Meydan Racecourse, benefiting from a sharp ride from the internationally renowned jockey Ryan Moore.

Tower of London, who was favored in American pool and paid $6, closed from the back of a field of 15 to reach the front in the final sixteenth, taking over from 42-1 Al Nayyir.

With ample momentum, Tower of London won the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup by two lengths over Al Nayyir, who finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 10-1 Trawlerman, who led in early stretch.

Tower of London was timed in 3:17.29.

“He quickened up very well,” said Moore.

Tower of London, a 4-year-old colt by Galileo, races for the Coolmore syndicate and trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Tower of London was fourth in the Group 1 English St. Leger at Doncaster Racecourse on soft turf last September in his final start of 2023, and began his 2024 season with a head win in the Group 3 Red Sea Handicap, a $2.5 million race at 1 7/8 miles in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 24.

The Dubai Gold Cup was Tower of London’s longest win, and his fifth win in 10 career starts.

“He was so cool on the horse,” O’Brien said of Moore. “He let the horse in front of him take him into the race.

“Ryan was very impressed with him. He kept coming down the lane.”

O’Brien said Tower of London will be considered for races in Britain in June, such as the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 1 or the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 22.

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