Former Claimer Two Rivers Over Strikes For O'Neill, Maldonado In Godolphin Mile

In a thrilling finish to the $1-million Godolphin Mile (G2) Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, it was the Doug O’Neill trainee Two Rivers Over who got the last laugh.

The American raider knuckled down to chase a resolute Walk Of Stars on the rail and defending winner Isolate in the closing stages to provide a second winner for O’Neill in the event and the first winner on Dubai World Cup night for his pilot Edwin Maldonado.

There were no surprises in the early part of the race as Tadhg O’Shea aboard Bhupat Seemar-trained Walk Of Stars pressed forward to grab the fence.

Highly touted Saudi Crown was, surprisingly, kept three wide despite a good beginning with Isolate finding the overall lead comfortably albeit away from the plastic. The winner was nursed into a handy early spot in the vanguard just off the pace.

Rounding for home, a flat-footed Saudi Crown began to give way as the front two – eventual runner-up and third – began to put distance between themselves and the field. It was not until the last 100 meters that Two Rivers Over began diminishing the leaders’ advantage, eventually getting up to score by a cozy half length in 1:34.99.

There was little involvement from the rest at the finish with Southern Artist staying on best to grab a distant fourth on the line, just ahead of Desert Wisdom.

"I am extremely happy about how it’s worked out for us and it’s amazing that we have won the Godolphin Mile in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum," said Leandro Mora, who supervises trainer Doug O'Neill's travelling challenge in the United Arab Emirates.

"I actually asked Edwin to stay closer to the pace, but it did not work out that way. He knew he was in a little bit of trouble but the horse responded for him.”

Maldonado has known plenty of injury ups and downs during his career in Southern California and produced a ride of rare quality here.

"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.”

Todd Cady, who co-owns the Kentucky-bred Tamarkuz colt with Ty Leatherman, was understandably emotional after welcoming Two Rivers Over back to the number one spot.

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. We are so thrilled."

Speaking from California,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."

Two Rivers Over was a $30,000 claim last June at Ellis Park. Bred by Allied Racing Stable, his dam is the Cowboy Cal mare American Cowgirl

Godolphin Mile Quotes

Walk Of Stars (2nd), trainer Bhupat Seemar said: "He’s one of those horses that once he passes another horse, he always stops. So he has to be produced last minute but it just so happened that we were drawn inside and Isolate was right on top of us and we couldn’t get him a breather. If he has something to come and aim at, he goes and beats them, but once he’s in front he stops."

Isolate (3rd), jockey Luis Saez said: "Pretty good trip. He broke running from there and we ended up on the lead. He was comfortable, just got a little tired in the end. (Did you expect to make the lead that easily?) Not really because Saudi Crown is a pretty fast horse. He ran pretty hard."

Southern Artist (4th), jockey Antonio Fresu said: “He was considered an outsider but I didn’t believe he got the respect he deserved. When I rode him in January, he ran really well and he just got beaten on the line by a very good horse [Hypothetical]. He didn’t run as expected the last time. Today, I wish I was drawn a little bit lower because then I didn’t have to be so wide, but I don’t think it would have changed anything. I think finishing fourth was a great effort and an amazing job done by Bhupat Seemar and his team.”

Desert Wisdom (5th), jockey Adrie de Vries said: "He jumped well and had a good trip round on the fence.”

Caramel Chip (6th), jockey Cristian Demuro said: “It wasn’t bad. He was behind the pace from the winner and Saudi Crown but they were too strong for my horse at the moment.”

Scotland Yard (7th), jockey Luis Morales said: “They went fast and my horse, he didn’t show much speed in the beginning. He was gaining but unfortunately the other horses went better.”

Swing Vote (8th), jockey William Buick said: “He ran pretty good, it’s a bit sharp for him on this track at a mile. He’ll be a nice mile and a quarter horse for over here next year.”

Eastern World (9th), jockey Connor Beasley said: “He jumped and travelled away good. Obviously the step up to a mile just stretched him

Qareeb (10th), jockey Oscar Chavez said: "It was tight on the start and my horse had difficulty right then. It was all over at the start.

Remorse (11th), jockey Pat Cosgrave said: “He was only having his second start of the year, he probably just found it too much. He only ran fresh three weeks ago, he just didn’t finish off today. Next year.”

Saudi Crown (12th), jockey Florent Geroux said: “He was flat today. I’m afraid he ran too hard last time and it looked like he bounced. He was very nervous before the race too and that’s not usually him.”

Pacholli (13th), jockey Jose Da Silva said: "She didn’t jump well and she ended up last. There was too much kickback. She never ran.”

 By Suleiman Altaf