Comicas notches first stakes win in Dubawi

Comicas, a Kentucky-bred gelding by Distorted Humor, won the first stakes of his career in Thursday’s Group 3 Dubawi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

The race is likely to produce a few domestic runners for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint on March 31.

Ridden by William Buick, Comicas stalked early pacesetter Yalta before taking the lead in the final sixteenth of the $175,000 race at about six furlongs. Muarrab, who was always near the front and led in the stretch, finished second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Reynaldothewizard, a 12-year-old who won the Dubawi Stakes for three years from 2015-17, overcame a slow start to finish third in the field of seven.

Comicas has raced in England and the UAE since his career began in 2015. A 5-year-old owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Charlie Appleby, Comicas has won 4 of 14 starts. He was second to Muarrab in the listed Garhoud Sprint at six furlongs at Meydan on Dec. 21.

Comicas had mixed form in 2017. He was second in the $2 million Golden Shaheen to the American-trained Mind Your Biscuits, but was 13th in a field of 19 in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes for sprinters at Royal Ascot in England last June.

Comicas did not race again until the Garhoud Sprint.

Reynaldothewizard and Muarrab finished eighth and 14th in the Golden Shaheen last year. Reynaldothewizard won the 2013 Golden Shaheen. Muarrab won the race in 2016.