Sheikh of Sheikhs drops into allowance company for first time
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Most horses still eligible for a second-level allowance stair-stepped their way up, winning a first-level condition before taking the rise in class.
But a 3-year-old named Sheikh of Sheikhs has run in nothing but stakes since winning a maiden race in his first career start, so he’ll be a newcomer to the allowance ranks when the featured race rolls around Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Sheikh of Sheikhs won the Juvenile Dirt Sprint on the Breeders’ Cup undercard last fall at Keeneland and eventually wound up in the same starting gate as Nyquist and Exaggerator, finishing fourth behind that esteemed duo in the San Vicente Stakes in February.
“Obviously, he’s a colt with some class,” said Brad Cox, who assumed his training after Sheikh of Sheikhs finished third in the William Walker Stakes on opening night of the Churchill spring meet.
Sheikh of Sheikhs and the stakes-winning Green Mask were among a handful of horses turned over recently to Cox by Sheikh Abdullah Saaed Almaddah of Saudi Arabia. “I like what I’ve seen so far,” said Cox.
Trying grass while facing older horses – both for the first time – Sheikh of Sheikhs will have blinkers back on when ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan as a top contender in the seventh of nine races, a $57,500 allowance at five furlongs.
Front Pocket Money, Cha Mono, and Shadow Rock look like the chief threats in the first of back-to-back allowances on a card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. The second allowance (race 8) is a $55,500, first-level dirt sprint that has Blast as the likely favorite for trainer Eddie Kenneally.
Both allowances are part of the 20-cent Single Six (races 4-9), which offered a carryover jackpot of more than $525,000 entering Friday’s action.
Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Sheikh of Sheikhs, by Discreetly Mine
Last 3 Beyers: 75-79-76
◗ Previously trained by Wesley Ward, this bay colt has had three workouts at Churchill for Cox since putting forth a creditable effort as the second wagering choice in the Walker.
Front Pocket Money, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-84-67
◗ Winner of his grass debut during Kentucky Derby week, this $67,000 yearling purchase has done little wrong in compiling a 2-for-3 record for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Cha Mono, by First Samurai
Last 3 Beyers: 88-74-90
◗ Winner of an off-the-turf sprint three weeks ago, he’s a 5-year-old with plenty of battle experience and the credentials to pull a minor upset for trainer Greg Foley.