Sheikh Ahmed’s Maamora wins Atalanta Stakes
- 23 Aug 2020
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum owned Maamora made all to win the mile long Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown on Sunday. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by William Buick, the 4-year-old Dubawi filly went to the front after the gates flew open and just stayed there, holding the rail and finding more when nudged a furlong out to win by a half length.
Richard Hannon’s Billesdon Brook was second under Sean Levey, with Amanda Perrett’s Lavender’s Blue a further three fourths behind with Jim Crowley up.
Crisford said: “We kept her in training to try to win a Group race this year. She ran well in Dubai and finished third in the Balanchine over a mile-one and we thought this would be a perfect target for her and she did it nicely. I’m glad we got that Group win with her.”
Hannon was denied with the Billesdon Brook but he was all smiles a little over half an hour later as Etonian justified his billing as favourite to win the 7f Group 3 Solario Stakes under Pat Dobbs.
Crisford hinted that a step up to Group One company is likely to be next on the agenda.
He added: “I think the Sun Chariot will be her big end-of-season target. Whether there is something before, a Group Two, I don’t know, but the Sun Chariot will be her race.”
Maximum Security wins Pacific Classic at Del Mar: Maximum Security won the $500,000 Pacific Classic by three lengths at Del Mar on Saturday, the star-crossed colt’s second victory since moving to the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Maximum Security ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.24. He paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 2-5 favorite in the field of six.
It was Baffert’s record-tying sixth win in the Grade 1 race at the seaside track north of San Diego.
“Once he took the lead I figured he’d be fine,” Baffert said. “Max was relaxing really nice. He just does things effortlessly.”
Sharp Samurai returned $5 and $3.60. Midcourt was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $3 to show. Defending champion Higher Power finished fourth. Argentina-bred Mirinaque was fifth in his US debut. Dark Vader was last.
Sharp Samurai stuck close to pacesetter Maximum Security, but could not get past him.
“He ran big, but whenever he would get close, my horse would pull away on his own,” Cedillo said. “He still had a little left at the end. I have to say this is probably the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”
With the victory, Maximum Security earned a berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov.7. The 4-year-old bay colt has 10 wins in 12 career starts.
Maximum Security won the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 25 in his first start in five months and first under Baffert’s care. He crossed the wire first in last year’s Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified for interference and placed 17th.
Dettori caps dream week in France: Campanelle maintained her unbeaten record as she ran out a ready winner of the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday.
Trained by American Wesley Ward, who was winning the Group One for a third time following the victories of No Nay Never and Lady Aurelia, she beat a strong-looking field with a modicum of ease, according to Racing TV report.
Typically quick through the early stages of the race, Frankie Dettori was keen to head towards the centre of the track.
Dettori, who opted to miss the Ebor meeting to ride in France over the last two weekends, appeared to wait for the others a furlong out before asking the Queen Mary winner to quicken up.