Mongolian Saturday skips Silks Run Stakes, opts for Al Quoz Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mongolian Saturday is among the nominees for Saturday’s $75,000 Silks Run Stakes. But trainer Enibesh Ganbat said he will skip the race with the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, who instead will run in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on March 26.

Mongolian Saturday has not raced since finishing fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 13. He missed a scheduled start here this winter due to a minor setback, was sent briefly to the farm to recuperate, and has been back at Gulfstream for the past several weeks preparing for the Al Quoz Sprint.

Mongolian Saturday worked four furlongs from the gate in 47.29 seconds before galloping out five-eighths in 1:00.49 here Sunday.

“Before we leave for Dubai, he’ll work one more time,” said Ganbat. “I do not believe the horse is 100 percent ready now. This is his second work from the gate, and we’ll take him back again this week.”

Ganbat said Mongolian Saturday has been schooled in the gate prior to his works with earmuffs, but they are removed before he breaks.

“At the gate, he’s a little crazy – that’s why we are trying the earmuffs,” said Ganbat.

Mongolian Saturday is scheduled to depart for Dubai on Sunday.