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 Jockey Christophe Lemaire and Stay Foolish return after the Red Sea Turf Handicap.
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The $2.5 million Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G3) is a 3000-meter (about 1 7/8 mile) trip around three turns of the turf course at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Siskany was sent off as the 8-5 favorite off his win in the Al Khail Trophy at Meydan after finishing second in the Wildflower Stakes at Kempton. In to challenge him included two horses at 9-2, Ebor Handicap and Irish St. Leger (G1) winner Sonnyboyliston and Baron Samedi, 6th in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) after finishing 3rd in the Irish St. Leger.
 Stay Foolish leads down the stretch |
Jockey Christophe Lemaire sent 10-1 Stay Foolish to the lead first time and he set the pace while pressed by 13-1 Princess Zoe and stalked by Sonnyboyliston, 21-1 Desert Fire and Siskany. Turning for home Lemaire asked Stay Foolish to open up on the field and he obliged, drawing off late to win by 4 1/4 lengths over Sonnyboyliston in 3:06.08. It was another 2 lengths back to favorite Siskany third.
Results Chart for the race from Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, and the video replay. Results for US wagering:
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Left: Stay Foolish in the winner's enclosure. Winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, "I have been a trainer for a long time and this is one of my happiest moments. I thought before he could win, absolutely. I knew he was training well so we had some confidence before the race. He is a one-paced sort of horse so this distance of 3000m must help him. To lead was one of our tactics and I depend on Christophe to decide what is best in the race; I trust him."
Right: The trophy presentation for the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap. Yahagi added, "It is a great day for Japanese racing, proving how strong it is. Looking forward, I hope we can go to Australia for the Melbourne Cup later in the year."
Left: Stay Foolish gets frisky in the walking ring. Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire said, "Once again I took the lead and he was very comfortable in front. He used his stamina. What a performance! He was quickly away so we didn’t stop. I am really, really happy. He’s an easy horse, he likes to gallop. He doesn’t have a big turn of foot; that’s why I took the lead. The ground is good, inside the rail is good. When they are good they keep going."
Right: Stay Foolish heads back to the barn after the race in his new winner's blanket. Lemaire added, "We don’t have many long-distance races in Japan. 2000m, 2200m is a little bit short for him and today he dominated the race. Running free like this he was unbeatable. We’re happy to win these races, international races are very important. We want to provide a good image of horse racing in Japan. Once again they [the Japanese runners] have shown that they are true competitors and big challengers internationally."
Left: Second place finisher Sonnyboyliston heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Ben Coen said, "He ran well off top weight after not having a run in nearly five months. I’m very happy with him. He jumped and got a nice position, travelled around well and hit the line well, so I am looking forward to the rest of the year with him."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Siskany in the walking ring. Jockey James Doyle said, "He ran good; I’m very happy. The ground was probably a touch quick for him and whether he quite gets the trip, I’m not too sure, but he travelled round super. Full credit to the winner, who quickened away well."
Saudi Cup Links:
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