Richard's Kid sold to sheikh

ARCADIA, Calif. - Richard's Kid, the winner of the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar last summer, has been acquired by Sheikh Rashid al-Maktoum's Zabeel Racing, according to bloodstock agent Omar Trevino.

The deal was finalized "in the last couple of weeks" Trevino said on Friday. Richard's Kid was previously owned by Arnold Zetcher, who acquired the now-5-year-old horse last spring and ran him five times. In his most recent start, Richard's Kid finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November.

Trevino said that Richard's Kid will be pointed for the Dubai World Cup on March 27, and will stay with trainer Bob Baffert in coming weeks. Sheikh Rashid is the oldest son of Darley stable owner Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum.

"We did acquire Richard's Kid," said Trevino, who is based in Lexington, Ky. "Baffert will map out the strategy for the horse. Our target is the Dubai World Cup.

"He's a horse that can run 10 furlongs. He's proven that. We wanted a horse for that particular race. We were able to come to an agreement."

One possible start for Richard's Kid is the $150,000 San Antonio Handicap over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 6.

Richard's Kid has won 6 of 21 starts and $801,370. He was trained by Richard Small in Maryland and campaigned by Fitzhugh LLC, for his first 16 starts, which included a win inn the Campbell Handicap at Laurel last February.

For Baffert and Zetcher, Richard's Kid also finished second by a nose in the Cougar II Handicap over 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar last August and was third by a length in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in October.

Sheikh Rashid has been an active buyer in recent weeks. Earlier this week, it was announced that he had purchased the Baffert-trained Conveyance, who was scheduled to start in Saturday's San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita.