TDN RISING STARS

August 30, 2014 - Saratoga, Race 4, Msw, USD $83,000, 7f

El Kabeir, c, 2, 2012 by Scat Daddy

1st Dam: Great Venue, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Rose Colored Lady, by Formal Dinner
3rd Dam: Pink Forest, by Green Forest

Owner: Zayat Stables LLC
Breeder: Rustlewood Farm Inc (FL)
Trainer: John P Terranova II

El Kabeir tipped his hand after a troubled debut going five furlongs here Aug. 14. Checked sharply at the break that day, the gray began to rally while riding the rail on the far turn and finished with interest to be a quality third behind smart first-timer Blofeld (Quality Road) and the GI Hopeful S. bound Signature Cat (Discreet Cat). Adding Lasix and stretching to seven furlongs here, the 5-2 second choice was hustled to the front from post five and never gave the others a chance. With Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, El Kabeir whistled through fractions of :22.74 and :44.98 as favored Royal Son (Tiznow) chased in second. Still going strong at the top of the lane, Ortiz shook the reins and it was all over. It was 10 3/4 lengths back to Royal Son in second. "He made me enter him, the horse did," winning trainer John Terranova revealed. "I kind of threw it out there to [Ahmed] Zayat and Justin [Zayat] earlier in the week. I said, 'This horse really is doing well. I don't know if we want to even wait until we get back to Belmont.'" Terranova continued, "He did everything right, perfect, even in that first race. He came out of it like he needed it. He had trouble at the break, and we knew he wasn't a five-furlong horse; he wanted more ground in front of him." As for what's next, Terranova concluded, "We'll see how he comes back and how he trains once we get back home to Belmont. Obviously, we have the [GI] Champagne [S. Oct. 4] in mind, and some other races." Ortiz added, "They're babies and last time he broke a little slow out of there. The trainer told me if he broke good to try to get a good trip and give the horse a chance, and he'll come running in the end. He was in front easy. He felt good. He's a nice horse. He did it easy." The winner's unraced dam is a half-sister to the fleet Too Much Bling (Rubiano), MGSW & GISP, $509,674. Sales history:
$250,000 yrl '13 OBSAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $58,100.