Pandagate eyeing UAE Derby
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Pandagate, the 5 1/2-length winner of the Gander Stakes for New York-breds on Feb. 25 at Aqueduct, is under strong consideration to make his next start in the $1 million UAE Derby on March 30, trainer Christophe Clement said Monday.
“Most probably, not definite, we’ll make the decision in the next day or two,” he said.
Clement said the lucrative purse and the 1 3/16-mile distance of the race are what is attractive to him and the owners, Adelphi Racing Club and Madaket Stables. The UAE Derby does offer 200 qualifying points (100-50-25-15-10) to its top five finishers toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby.
“Let’s go one at a time,” Clement said.
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Pandagate returned to the work tab on Sunday, breezing five furlongs in 1:02 at Payson Park.
Meanwhile, Clement said Deterministic, winner of the Grade 3 Gotham on March 2 at Aqueduct, was expected to return to the work tab this coming weekend at Payson. Clement has not made a decision on where he would run next.
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