El Kabeir to take New York route to Kentucky Derby

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Despite the season’s coldest temperatures and even the threat of snow this week, the connections of El Kabeir appear intent on traveling the New York route to the Kentucky Derby.

El Kabeir emerged from his 4 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Jerome Stakes in good order, according to trainer John Terranova, and if all remains well, the 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy could make his next start Feb. 7 in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct.

Last year, Samraat and Uncle Sigh, the 1-2 finishers in the Withers, both made it to the Derby. Only Uncle Sigh (14th in the Derby) trained in New York all winter, while Samraat (fifth in the Derby) made several trips back and forth from south Florida.

Terranova, who also has a string stabled at Tampa Bay Downs, said he would be fine with leaving El Kabeir in New York all winter.

“He’s been thriving here,” said Terranova. “I’m not too worried, even if the weather gets a little dicey, just taking some easy days with him and not have a problem with it.”

El Kabeir already has made six starts, winning three, including two stakes. Before the Jerome, he won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Terranova noted that with foundation and the fact that El Kabeir is not a big, heavy horse, it won’t take too much training to have the horse fit for the Withers or the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham on March 7. New York’s final Derby prep is the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial, run over Aqueduct’s main track April 4.

Terranova’s barn on the Belmont Park backstretch is next to Nick Zito’s, which is used by a lot of horsemen as a jogging barn. Terranova said El Kabeir already has trained several times in that barn.

El Kabeir, owned by Zayat Stables, earned a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure for his Jerome victory.