Straight No Chaser works half-mile for Golden Shaheen

ARCADIA, Calif. - Straight No Chaser, the champion sprinter of 2024 and the winner of the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia last month, worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Sunday in advance of the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint on April 5.

California-based trainer Dan Blacker flew to Dubai for the workout. Blacker said in a phone interview that Straight No Chaser galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.20.

“He was in hand,” Blacker said. “He’s doing good. He shipped from Saudi Arabia and is in good shape.”

Owned by the My Racehorse partnership, Straight No Chaser has won his last three starts, a span that includes the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship last September and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Straight No Chaser, 6, has won 7 of 11 starts and $2,616,300.

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At Santa Anita on Sunday, trainer Doug O’Neill worked his two prospects for the Dubai World Cup program on April 5 – Mixto and Raging Torrent.

Mixto, upset winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August, worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 under jockey Frankie Dettori. Mixto, fourth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 in his last start, is a candidate for the $12 million Dubai World Cup at 1 1/4 miles.

Raging Torrent, winner of the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 from the gate under Dettori. Raging Torrent is scheduled to start in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.

“He’s in a good nick,” Dettori said. “He should give a good account of himself.”

Seal Team works for Keeneland

Seal Team, second in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 in his lone start this year, worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Trainer Richard Mandella said Seal Team is a candidate for the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 11. The $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile is one of the leading national turf races of the spring.

Seal Team was withdrawn from consideration for the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 1 after developing an elevated temperature. Sunday’s workout was Seal Team’s second of the month.

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