Todd Cady and Ty Leatherman's TWO RIVERS OVER (g, 4, Tamarkuz–American Cowgirl, by Cowboy Cal) closed resolutely to pip dueling leaders Walk of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Isolate (Mark Valeski) and win the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile. Walk Of Stars was 3/4 of a length back in second, only a nostril in front of a very game Isolate. It was the first group win for the 2023 Listed Zia Park Derby winner.
Both defending Godolphin Mile winner Isolate and G2 Al Maktoum Classic second Walk of Stars flashed good early speed and that pair soon slugged it out on the front end with G1 Saudi Cup third Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) sitting third and the eventual winner just off their heels with rivals to either side. Walk of Stars prevented Isolate from taking the inside path, and pressed that foe doggedly as they rounded the bend.
Edwin Maldonado gave Two Rivers Over a right-handed tap at the 600-metre mark and he soon edged closer with Saudi Crown to his immediate outside. Making ground with every stride after Saudi Crown folded, he closed resolutely on the leading pair down the lane, shifted to the outside for his attack and inched ahead to win well and give trainer Doug O'Neill his second winner of the race since sending out Grade I sire Spring At Last (Silver Deputy) to victory in 2007.
“He is not a horse that takes the kickback well so I was hoping he would be close in the run and he was,” said Maldonado. “When he came into the stretch I was confident I would get there because I had him in the clear, outside of kickback. He's very genuine. He gave me everything.”
Co-owner Cady said, “What an experience! We were happy to be a part of the occasion but we knew it would be hard to win with the likes of Saudi Crown and Isolate in the field. He was so tough and classy in the finish.
“What a job by Edwin and Doug and Leandro [Mora, assistant trainer]. We are so thrilled.”
Speaking from California, trainer O'Neill said, “I am so proud of this horse. The owners are the ones who picked him out to claim. They have been super-patient and supportive. He's a young 4-year-old on the rise.”
Winless from three starts at two, the bay was eventually claimed for $30,000 by O'Neill on behalf of his current connections at Ellis Park last June. After taking a starter allowance at Del Mar one start later in July, Two Rivers Over won a Del Mar optional claimer in September, prior to a two-length win going 1 1/16 miles in the Derby at Zia. He was most recently fourth in the GII San Pasqual S. to Newgrange (Violence).
Pedigree Notes:
Two Rivers Over's sire Tamarkuz won the 2015 edition of this race in the Shadwell silks and, a year later, took the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Based first in Kentucky and then in Louisiana in 2022, Tamarkuz moved to Ballycroy Bloodstock in Ontario beginning in the 2023 season and he currently stands for C$4,000. His three stakes winners include Red Flag, successful in the GIII Bob Hope S., and stakes winner Lady Lottie.
The first foal for his winning dam, Two Rivers Over is also the only known produce for American Cowgirl. She, in turn, is a full-sister to MSW Special Relativity, who was second in the GIII Ontario Fashion S. and third in both the GI Ballerina S. and GII Bessarabian S.
B-Allied Racing Stable, LLC (KY).
Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
GODOLPHIN MILE SPONSORED BY EMAAR-G2, AED1,000,000, Meydan, 3-30, 3yo/up, 8f, 1:37.49, fs.
1–TWO RIVERS OVER, 126, g, 4, by Tamarkuz
1st Dam: American Cowgirl, by Cowboy Cal
2nd Dam: Lil American, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: A Woman's Quest, by Coronado's Quest
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Todd Cady & Ty Leatherman; B-Allied
Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Doug O'Neill; J-Edwin A Maldonado.
$580,000. Lifetime Record: 15-5-0-5, $905,851. Click for
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Walk Of Stars (GB), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Sound Reflection,
by Street Cry (Ire). (AED1,200,000 HRA '23 ERAAPR). O-Athbah
Racing; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Bhupat Seemar. $200,000.
3–Isolate, 126, h, 6, Mark Valeski–Tranquil Song, by Unbridled's
Song. ($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-RRR Racing; B-Woodford
Thoroughbreds (FL); T-Doug Watson. $100,000.
Margins: 3/4, NO, 4HF.
Also Ran: Southern Artist, Desert Wisdom (GB), Caramel Chip, Scotland Yard, Swing Vote (GB), Eastern World (Ire), Qareeb, Remorse (Ire), Saudi Crown, Pacholli (Uru).
Click for the ERA chart & video.
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