by K. T. Donovan
The $2-million United Arab Emirates Derby sponsored by S&M al Naboodah Group (UAE-G2) on Saturday fell to a horse from the yard of trainer Mike de Kock for the third time, but the decisive 9 1/2-length winning margin by Argentine-bred favorite Asiatic Boy was a bit of a shock.
Kept three wide by leader Rallying Cry and Eu Tambem, Asiatic Boy was forced to go the widest route around Nad al Sheba racecourse in the 1,800-meter (8.95-furlong) race. But as soon as he could break loose, Asiatic Boy did so while urged on under a strong hand ride by jockey Weichong Marwing.
A few swats in the lane and the bay Not for Sale colt took off amid loud cheers for Asiatic Boy’s owner, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum.
“He’s an absolute superstar,” de Kock said. “This is a [Dubai] World Cup (UAE-G1) horse next year. I will most certainly take him abroad, and he is likely for the Breeders’ Cup [World Championships].”
Marwing called the Southern Hemisphere three-year-old, who is ineligible for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), the best horse he has ever ridden. Nevertheless, being forced out to the middle of the track around the turn was not what he wanted.
“It was concerning to me, because you want everything to work well for you in such a big race,” Marwing said. “But he was so much the best.”
Asiatic Boy improved his record to five wins from seven starts as he completed the distance in 1:48.82 on a fast main track.
Jack Junior, trained by Brian Meehan and a possible for the American classics, finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Adil.
“For a horse that is still a maiden, mine has run a great race,” said jockey Richard Hills, who rode Jack Junior in the UAE Derby. “He is a horse with a future but the winner today was a very good horse.”
Bred in Argentina by Haras Arroyo de Luna, Asiatic Boy is out of the winning Polish Navy mare S. S. Asiatic.
K. T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times correspondent