Zenden upsets Golden Shaheen but is fatally injured on gallop-out

Zenden, a minor stakes winner at Tampa Bay Downs in February, led throughout Saturday’s Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen for sprinters at Meydan Racecourse, but suffered a severe injury to a foreleg while galloping out clear of rivals and could not be saved.

Zenden set a track record of 1:09.01 for 1,200 meters, or about six furlongs, on dirt. The previous record of 1:10.12 was held by Mind Your Biscuits, an American horse who won the 2018 Golden Shaheen. Zenden paid $108.70.

Zenden, ridden by Antonio Fresu, broke sharply from the outside post in a field of 13 and led by at least a length through the first half-mile. Zenden pulled clear through the stretch under right-handed urging from Fresu and finished 3 1/2 lengths clear of Red Le Zele, a 10-1 chance from Japan. Canvassed (9-1) finished third for the best finish by a Dubai-based runner.

Wildman Jack, winner of the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita in January, finished fourth. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Wildman Jack was second in early stretch in the $1.5 million Golden Shaheen, but faded from contention in the final furlong.

Yaupon, the 9-5 favorite, was never a significant factor and finished eighth in his first start since an eighth-place finish as the 6-5 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland last November for trainer Steve Asmussen. Jalen Journey, also trained by Asmussen, finished 10th.

Zenden, owned by LLP Performance Horse and trained by Carlos David, won for the sixth time in his 15th start in the Golden Shaheen. A 5-year-old horse by Fed Biz, Zenden won the $75,000 Pelican Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 13 at Tampa Bay Downs in his last start before the Golden Shaheen.