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Plus Que Parfait heads to the winner's circle after the UAE Derby.

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2019 UAE Derby Results

Date: 03/30/2019

The $2.5 million Al Naboodah Group UAE Derby (G2) over 1900 meters (1 3/16 miles) on the main track at Meydan is the only age-restricted race on World Cup night, open to 3-year-olds and worth 100 points to the winner as part of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, however southern hemisphere 3-year-olds are recognized as 4-year-olds in the north and are not eligible for the Kentucky Derby. Locally based filly Divine Image was sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 14 off wins in the UAE Oaks (G3) and the Al Bastakiya. In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Walking Thunder, winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial but 2nd in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3), and 7-1 third choice Stubbins, winner of the Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita.

First time by in the UAE Derby

Jockey Pat Cosgrave sent 25-1 Swift Rose to the lead first time by through fractions of 25.45, 49.64, and 1:14.95 while pressed by Stubbins and stalked by 45-1 Manguzi and Walking Thunder. On the far turn, Swift Rose tired allowing Manguzi to inherit the lead through 1 mile in 1:41.19, as jockey Jose Ortiz sent 8-1 fourth choice Plus Que Parfait out for room. Plus Que Parfait swept to the front at the 1/8 pole through 9f in 1:54.15. 14-1 Gray Magician put in a strong late rally under Joel Rosario but Plus Que Parfait easily held him off by 3/4 length in 1:58.41. It was another neck back to Manguzi third, while favorte Divine Image raced midpack early but showed nothing late, finishing 13th beaten 27 1/2 lengths.

Results Chart for the race from Emirates Racing Authority which includes a link to the video replay. Results for US wagering:

4th RACE MEYDAN - UAE DERBY (Group 2) 4 Plus Que Parfait 19.60 7.00 6.40 8 Gray Magician 8.00 6.80 14 Manguzi 16.40 Running time - 1:58.41 $1.00 EXACTA 4-8 91.30 $1.00 TRIFECTA 4-8-14 2,172.70 $1.00 SUPERFECTA 4-8-14-5 66,586.80

Left: Plus Que Parfait in the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Brendan Walsh said, "This is huge - Jose gave him such a great ride and what a night for him with two winners. This has been the plan for quite a while and his owners are based out here. We said if things didn't work out to get to the Kentucky Derby then we would come here. He had a bad day the last time he ran but we didn't hold it against him and it has worked out. Brilliant."

Right: Plus Que Parfait heads back to the barn.

Left: The trophy presentation for the UAE Derby.

Right: Plus Que Parfait in the walking ring. Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "I have a nice horse. He was running well and around the turn I was trying to find spaces. I was happy that I saved the whole ground in the race. And when I was able to find a way through, he responded really well, so I am very happy and very happy for Brendan. He deserves it. Brendan, he works so hard and he gave me so many shots and we haven't been lucky and now I was able to deliver for him. To win means a lot. It's tough to come all the way and win and I have been blessed to have two winners, so I am very happy."

Left: Second place finisher Gray Magician in the walking ring. Trainer Peter Miller said, "I thought he'd run a big race and he looked like a winner at the (200m pole), but maybe Joel didn't see the horse coming up on the inside because he didn't use the whip in the last strides. Still, I'm very proud of the horse. It's not likely that he'll go for the Kentucky Derby, but he's got 40 points so it's not out of the question." Jockey Joel Rosario added, "He's run his best race. I thought he was moving like a winner in the stretch and we got momentum when he went to the front, but the other horse has come on strong."

Right: Third place finisher Manguzi heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Fernando Jara said, "From the 14 post, I couldn't be more happy – doing it from that draw. He has been so good to us this year, he's so consistent. We're looking forward to next season, hopefully he'll keep improving."

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