First real test for Burj Dubai
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Burj Dubai, sensational in both of his starts, will be put to the acid test when he faces a strong field of older horses in the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate at Hastings on Sunday.
Burj Dubai will be stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time, and according to his trainer, Dino Condilenios, he could be vulnerable in the six-horse field.
"He hasn't really relaxed in either of his sprints, so I'm not sure how he's going to do," Condilenios said. "He certainly has the pedigree and the talent."
In both of his starts, Burj Dubai broke a step slowly with Pedro Alvarado aboard, but it didn't take him long to take command. He was the easiest of winners when he made his debut in a maiden special weight race May 29 and then beat a field of stakes-winning sprinters in a $50,000 optional race June 27.
Condilenios was more resolute when he talked about the chances of Lowther Street. Burj Dubai and Lowther Street are owned by Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. but will run uncoupled.
Lowther Street is coming off a neck win over Senor Rojo in a $50,000 optional race at 1 1/16 miles June 20.
"He is really blossoming right now," Condilenios said. "He is the kind of horse that doesn't miss an oat, and he was as fat as a beached whale both times I ran him. He tucked up nicely after his last race."
Senor Rojo is as honest as they come, with 13 in-the-money finishes from 15 career starts. Trained by Dave Forster, Senor Rojo has tactical speed and should get a nice trip from just off what could be a lively pace.
Trainer Mel Snow has entered Seminole Brave and Ganbei. In his last start Seminole Brave was involved right from the start and held on well to finish second to Burj Dubai. He has never won a race longer than 6 1/2 furlongs, but he did finish third in the 1 1/8-mile Sir Winston Churchill in 2008.
Ganbei finished a close third to Lowther Street two back and is coming off a third-place finish in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors on July 1.
Krazy Koffee will look a lot better when he comes back to face B.C.-breds in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Classic on Aug. 2.