Mongoose wins disorderly Donn

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Mongoose finally fulfilled all the promise he showed early in his career by registering a neck victory over a game but unlucky Red Bullet in Saturday's $500,000 * at Gulfstream Park. Red Bullet, the 2-1 favorite in a field of 14 older horses, was ultimately disqualified from second and placed fourth for interfering with Rize entering the far turn.

The excitement of Mongoose's victory was briefly tempered for owners Gary and Mary West and trainer H. James Bond when stablemate Ubiquity collapsed on the track from heat exhaustion shortly after crossing the finish line. He was eventually revived by track veterinarian Dr. Mary Scollay and walked back to the barn under his own power.

The victory was the fourth in a row and first in a Grade 1 race for Mongoose, who was transferred to Bond's barn along with Ubiquity shortly after winning his 2001 finale during the fall.

Mongoose, who race coupled with Ubiquity, paid $15.60 after covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.63 over a fast track.

Mongoose rated just behind embattled leaders Keats, Duckhorn, and Ubiquity for nearly six furlongs, moved readily to command midway around the second bend, and after edging clear near the furlong marker withstood Red Bullet's final surge.

Red Bullet raced near the back of the pack after hopping in the air at the break. He advanced along the rail down the backstretch but had to steady and angle out behind the tiring Keats, forcing Rize to take up sharply into the far turn. Red Bullet recovered and quickly rallied to contention around the second bend and was gradually gaining on the winner at the end.

Kiss a Native rallied to finish third and was placed second following the disqualification of Red Bullet.

"Mongoose owes the win to Ubiquity," said Bond. "He took out the speed. I told both riders to press early and unfortunately Ubiquity took the worst of it. Post 2 was a dream spot for Mongoose and Edgar [Prado] rode him beautifully."

Bond said Mongoose is nominated to the Dubai World Cup but was uncertain of his plans at the moment.

Trainer Joe Orseno thought Red Bullet ran a remarkable race despite all the trouble but was bitterly disappointed in the disqualification.

"Jerry [Bailey] said he turned his head when they sprung the latch," said Orseno. "He [Red Bullet] showed up today. It's a total injustice that they took him down from second. I've seen so many bad calls from these guys. I don't know how you could justify that in a $500,000 race."

- Additional reporting by Jay Privman

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