T M FRED TEXAS TAKES PRESIDENT OF UAE CUP
BALTIMORE, 05-19-12 – Shiek Joann Bin Hamad K. H. Al-Thani’s T M Fred Texas continued his domination of North American Arabian-bred horses, romping to victory in the $75,000 President of UAE CUP (G1) Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Ridden by Abel Castellano Jr. for trainer Ronald Martino, the son of Burning Sand tracked the pace before launching a four-wide bid into the far turn and emerging with the lead at the top of the stretch. He continued on to prevail over pacesetter Grilla by 2 ¾ lengths. Rich Frynchman rallied to take third.
T M Fred Texas, absent since winning the Delaware Classic (G1) in November, paid $4.40 for the win in the 1 1/16-mile event.
The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup is part of an international series sponsored by Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. The Presidents of the UAE Cup series was created 20 years ago to promote and celebrate the Arabian breed internationally, and is recognized as the world’s premier racing series for the breed. The tour also has stops in Ireland, France, Russia, United Kingdom, Turkey and Germany this year.
President of UAE Cup Quotes
Ronald Martino (winning trainer, T M Fred Texas) – “He’s always been a handful in the paddock, and that is why we didn’t put the rider up until he came out on the track. I preferred to be on the outside. That way he could stay out of trouble. I’m telling you this is an iron horse. He always shows up. I’m not sure where he’ll run next.”
Abel Castellano Jr. (winning jockey, T M Fred Texas) – “I was about 10-wide in the first turn and I was a little worried about that. I was able to drop him over and gradually saved some ground in the second turn. When I really asked him to run, he responded pretty well. He’s a very nice horse. I think the trainer had a lot of confidence because he didn’t say too much. He just said ‘Ride your race. He’s a nice horse and he’s going to take you to the wire first.’ That gave me a lot of confidence, too.”
-mjc-
PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
Follow us on Twitter @MDjockeyclub
This e-mail, and any documents or data attached hereto, is intended for the intended recipients only. It may contain confidential and/or privileged information and no rights have been waived by the sender. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby NOTIFIED that any dissemination, distribution, retention, archiving or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify me at the telephone number shown above or by return mail and delete this communication and any copy immediately. Stronach Group provides no assurances that this e-mail and its attachments are virus free; you are responsible for scanning all e-mails and attachments for viruses. Stronach Group disclaims all liability for damages caused by any virus which may be transmitted by this email. Thank you.
