Kentucky Derby 2006 Preps - Discreet Cat on Kentucky Derby Trail After Impressive Dubai Win
by Horse Handicapper Extraordinaire Kenneth Strong
Discreet Cat has Godolphin Racing back on the Kentucky Derby trail after a romping win over seven rivals in the one-mile Areej Trophy at Nad Al Sheeba on March 9.
Making his first start in the Godolphin Racing colors since being purchased privately from Joyce Robsham after an impressive maiden win at Saratoga last August, Discreet Cat was full of run in the early stages of the race under star jockey Frankie Dettori.
The 3-year-old colt by Forestry-Pretty Discreet by Private Account eventually came back to his famed rider and began to move on the leaders into the final turn. Entering the stretch in fourth position, Discreet Cat took over the lead with about an eighth of a mile left to go and drew out to win by four lengths, getting the mile over the fast dirt surface in 1:35.91 with something left in the tank.
Trained by Stanley Hough to break his maiden last year in an impressive 1:09.76, Discreet Cat is now trained by Saeed bin Suroor. A perfect 2-for-2 life time, he will now get a good test of his class in the $2 Million UAE Derby (Dubai Grade II) at a distance of 1 1/8 miles over the dirt on March 25. A good performance in the UAE Derby should put Discreet Cat on a flight to the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Godolphin Racing last tried the Kentucky Derby with Essence of Dubai (9th in 2002) and Express Tour (8th in 2001), and also started horses in the Derby in 1999 and 2000 without success. This time the results could be better. A top-class racing operation, Godolphin will have learned something from previous failures.
If Discreet Cat can come flying late in the UAE Derby, even if he doesn't win, he will be worth watching closely as the 2006 Kentucky Derby nears.
