DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Making just his third start in Dubai and stretching out to a mile for the first time in over two years, RRR Racing's Isolate (Mark Valeski) never gave his 13 rivals in Saturday's G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by One Za'abeel as he put on a powerful front-running display to carry visiting jockey Tyler Gaffalione to an easy 5 1/2-length victory.
Not the fastest away from the stalls in the mile chute, the $70,000 Keeneland November weanling speared through from between horses to take up the running linking up with the course proper, as defending champion Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and his countrymate Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) put the pressure on the pacesetter from the outside. Always holding that pair at bay as the field raced into the final 600 meters, Isolate was about two lengths clear into the stretch and lengthened away to score impressively. Law of Peace (Ire) (Shamardal) and Atletico El Culano (Uru) (Alcorano {Brz}) each raced near the tail of the field early, but powered home to fill out the minor placings. Bathrat Leon just held fourth over American ex-pat Everfast (Take Charge Indy).
“Tyler did a great job getting him out and going, getting a nice pace on and he stays a mile, we can definitely say that now,” said trainer Doug Watson, winning this race for the third time. “I wasn't quite sure until he turned in and there wasn't much going with him.”
He added, “I'm just thrilled for Sheikh Rashid (bin Humaid al Nuaimi) and the whole team at home. I've been here for almost 30 years, I've progressed from being in charge of the ambulance at the first Dubai World Cup to now having winners on the night. It's quite remarkable.”
Campaigned in the States by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Isolate was a two-time winner and third in the 2020 GIII Nashua S. for Kathy Ritvo before being transferred to trainer Tom Amoss, for whom he tallied four races, including last year's Work All Week S. at Hawthorne and a romping score in the Tale of the Cat S. at Saratoga. Just touched off in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in September, Isolate was acquired by these connections and his two lead-up races locally were solid runner-up efforts to Tuz (Oxbow) in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in February and to the commonly owned Sound Money (Flatter) in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal S. on Super Saturday.
Pedigree Notes:
Isolate is one of three stakes winners and becomes the first graded winner for his sire (by Proud Citizen), who bred by, raced for and began his stud career at Airdrie Stud before ultimately relocating to Arkansas. Isolate is out of a winning daughter of seven-times stakes winner and three-times graded-placed Travelator, the dam of SWs Hollywood Jet (Uncaptured) and Stone Silent (Adios Charlie) and the dam of Grade III winner Last Judgement (Congrats). Tranquil Song is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Enticed and a colt by Tacitus foaled Mar. 1.
Not a bad way to ride your first #DWC23 winner @Tyler_Gaff
Isolate is a breathtaking winner of the Godolphin Mile sponsored by One Zaabeel for Doug Watson
#DubaiWorldCup | #RacingDubai pic.twitter.com/LIlzRbPE5e
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 25, 2023
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