Uruguayan Star Ajuste Fiscal Seeking Dubai World Cup Invite, Tops Thursday’s Al Maktoum Challenge

Uruguayan star Ajuste Fiscal tops a seemingly strong contingent brought by Dubai World Cup Carnival-winning conditioner Antonio Cintra when he starts in Thursday's Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at Meydan Racecourse.

Owned by Stud La Pomme, the apple of the Cintra operation enters off a Listed victory over this distance on grass in September, but is proven at the G1 level in the past on dirt, including resounding victories in the Gran Premio Pedro Ramirez over 12 furlongs, Gran Premio Jockey Club over 10 furlongs and Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos over one mile.

Ajuste Fiscal is sired by the Illinois-bred multiple Grade 3 winner Ioya Bigtime (Dynaformer).

It would, of course, not be a surprise to see a Uruguayan horse succeed in Dubai, thanks to the exploits of the great Invasor.

“It's a pleasure to be a part of this event again and I'm really happy to be back here,” said Cintra, who won the 2006 Al Shindagha Sprint with Heart Alone. “Ajuste Fiscal is the best horse that I brought. He's a very good horse on dirt and the distance (one mile) is a little bit short for him, but it's a good (place) to start. The plan is the second and third rounds of the Maktoum (Challenge). He is the top horse, but he will get very tough races–but I believe he can get an invitation for the World Cup.”

Cintra will be busy on opening night of the Carnival, also saddling Stud Crespi's 14-time winner Almoradi, a G1-placed multiple G3 winner, in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) over seven furlongs on turf, as well as Stud Guara del Sur's exciting 4-for-4 sprinter Upper Class in the Dubawi (G3). A Listed winner, the latter must step up considerably, but has done little wrong thus far and appears a strong finisher who will enjoy a step back up to six furlongs.

Cintra: “(Almoradi) is a good horse on dirt and turf and we planned to run him on dirt, but he wasn't looking good on this kind of dirt. It was a little soft for him, so we're trying to turf. Upper Class is unbeaten and is a very good sprinter. He's three years old and gets two kilos. Hopefully he'll run very well. He runs just on dirt, but the pedigree is a turf horse. We'll start on dirt with him.” ​

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Agreement To Stand Invasor In Uruguay Extended Through 2021

Invasor, North America's 2006 Horse of the Year, will remain in Uruguay for at least two more Southern Hemisphere breeding seasons after an agreement was reached between owner Shadwell Farm and Haras Cuatro Piedras, the South American publication Turf Diario reports.

The initial agreement called for the 18-year-old son of Candy Stripes to stand at the Uruguayan farm for three seasons from 2015 to 2017, and the deal was renewed for another three seasons through 2020. As the final year approached on the second deal, the two sides agreed to keep him there for one additional season, bringing the total to seven.

When the deal is fully terminated at the end of 2021, Turf Diario reports that Invasor will return to Shadwell's Kentucky base, likely to be pensioned from stud duty.

Invasor was born in Argentina, but was sent to Uruguay as a 2-year-old to begin his racing career. He was a force in his new home, taking down Uruguay's Triple Crown and being named Horse of the Year in both Uruguay and his native Argentina.

His performance caught the attention of Shadwell Farm, which purchased the colt ahead of his 4-year-old campaign. Once again, Invasor was dominant, taking home Horse of the Year honors in 2006 with an undefeated North American campaign of Grade 1 victories including the Breeders' Cup Classic, Pimlico Special Handicap, Suburban Handicap, and Whitney Handicap.

The wins continued during a brief 4-year-old campaign, which saw wins in the G1 Donn Handicap and an electric finale in the Dubai World Cup. Invasor retired with 11 wins in 12 starts for earnings of $7,804,070, and he was named to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2013.

Invasor entered stud at Shadwell Farm for the 2008 breeding season, and he moved to Haras Cuatro Piedras in 2015. He covered 37 mares during last year's Southern Hemisphere season, which is above average for a Uruguayan stallion with U.S. ties.

After underwhelming at stud in North America, Invasor has carved out more success in Uruguay, siring Group 2 winner Mourinho and Group 3 winner Lamborghini. He currently sits 13th on Uruguay's general sire list for 2020.

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