El Kabeir smokes six furlongs in work

ELMONT, N.Y. – El Kabeir, the leading 3-year-old around these parts during the winter, tuned up for his return to the races with a very fast six-furlong workout in 1:10.99 on Wednesday over the Belmont Park main track.

El Kabeir worked right after the midmorning renovation break under exercise rider Simon Harris. El Kabeir, breaking off from the five-furlong pole, went his first quarter in 23.99 seconds, three furlongs in 35.38, and hit the finish line in 58.88. He went an additional furlong in 12.11 seconds before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:24.80 and a mile in 1:38.91.

El Kabeir’s trainer, John Terranova, had another horse working at the same time, Enduring Touch, who broke off at the half-mile pole and was geared down at the wire. El Kabeir went past Enduring Touch during the latter stages of his move.

“That other filly we had, she was working on her own, and Simon just used that to keep him focused toward the latter part of the work,” Terranova said. “We went on and galloped out, and we want to keep on getting something out of these moves. He’s a great work horse. Last week’s breeze was fantastic, this one the same, so we’re just continuing to progress and move forward. We like that move today.”

El Kabeir has not raced since running third in the Wood Memorial in April. Terranova said the horse would be nominated to the Grade 3 Bold Ruler on Oct. 31 but isn’t certain to run. The Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 28 has been mentioned as a midrange target.