Stakes Quotes: AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT (GROUP 3)

OFFICIAL STAKES QUOTES

AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT (GROUP 3)
$200,000 | 1200m (dirt)

Winner: GLADIATOR KING
Pedigree: Curlin – Golden Dawn (Hennessy)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi
Trainer: Satish Seemar
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Official Time: 1:11.41
Track Record: 1:10.12 – Mind Your Biscuits, 2018
Stakes Record (Meydan Dirt): 1:10.88 – Rich Tapestry, 2016
Margin of Victory: 1 Length

Mickael Barzalona, Jockey, GLADIATOR KING (1st)—“Things went differently than how we expected, but he still ran a great race. We were very pleased with the way he did it today. He has some natural speed. If he would be in front, it wouldn’t be a problem for him. He’s a lovely horse he’s easy to ride and hopefully there’s more to come. I was a little scared of Drafted to be fair, but I feel my horse is still improving and going the right away.”

Satish Seemar, Trainer, GLADIATOR KING (1st)—“The horse even that, even at home, knows what he’s doing and knows where the finish line is. He’s not one of those who wastes energy, but he is a powerhouse horse and he knew what was going on in the race. He was stalking them and waiting and finished the job when Mickael asked him. It’s good to have a horse like that.”

Fernando Jara, Jockey, TRUCK SALESMAN (2nd)—“The very first step, he was a little bit slow, but after that he was very quick and got into position right away. He was travelling nice and a really nice horse beat him. That horse ran three weeks ago, so he was probably fitter, and this guy just arrived off the plane, so I think he should improve from this race. He was very keen to run. I didn’t want to take that away from him, so I let him have that momentum and hoped it would carry me to the end—and it did. He was running and wasn’t stopping. It’s just that a good horse beat him.”

Jim Crowley, Jockey, IBN MALIK (3rd)—“He ran well. I’m happy with him.”

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