North America sets sights on Firebreak

Ramzan Kadyrov’s G1-winning North America, one of the brightest stars of UAE racing over the past few seasons, is closing in on his return to racing.

About to turn nine, the Satish Seemar-trained elder statesman of Group-level Dubai-based dirt runners was last seen finishing off the board in the $20 million Saudi Cup over nine furlongs — an effort that was preceded by only one other run in 2020, a head-bob third when injuring his hoof in a defense of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) at Meydan. Briefly considered for a Russian campaign by his connections this fall, he was quickly returned to Zabeel Racing Stables in the heart of Dubai after a brief respite.

“He just went into quarantine for two days, but then came back after a quick little holiday and break,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer.

“He’s training really well and all is good. He’s just had his first gallop (breeze) the other day and will have another soon.

“The aim was to go to the (Group 2) Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (on Jan. 21), but we’ll probably go for the (Group 3) Firebreak (on Feb. 4).

“We don’t want to push him and we have a few other horses, if all goes well, who could go in the Maktoum Challenge.”

Third twice and a breakout winner two years ago of ‘Round 1,’ the gingerly campaigned seven-time winner from just 20 starts over seven seasons actually made his first Group start and victory in the 2017 Firebreak, romping by seven lengths and earning a favourite status for the subsequent Godolphin Mile (G2). A three-time Dubai World Cup night alumnus, seven-time Meydan winner and four-time Group victor, the son of Dubawi is currently rated 115.

PREMIER STAR, MIDNIGHT SANDS ARRIVE: A pair of gift-wrapped Group-level DWC Carnival players arrived from America on Christmas morning for trainer Doug Watson when G2-placed stakes winner Premier Star and five-time Meydan victor Midnight Sands landed from their long voyage.

Both will take up residence at the quarantine facility at Meydan Racecourse as they prepare to join the conditioner’s Red Stables. While the latter is a returnee for Watson, having left Dubai in May and raced three times — placing once — for UAE Derby-winning trainer Brendan Walsh in Kentucky, the former is a fresh face for the stiff local sprinting division.

“He won the Jersey Shore and is obviously very talented,” Watson said.

“He was at Dave Scanlon’s in Florida before coming here. He had a couple really quiet weeks and then was training five days per week for two weeks before shipping here. We just have to figure out what we’ll do with him, but he just raced in October, so he shouldn’t have lost too much fitness.

“We can also train out of quarantine now, so we’ll jog them and keep them active. Hopefully we can find something for him during the Carnival before Super Saturday.”

Midnight Sands, a specialist anywhere from six to eight furlongs who won five consecutive races at Meydan between 2019 and 2020, was third in a salty allowance race at Churchill Downs in his USA unveiling for Cool Silk Partnership.