Discreet Cat Romps in UAE Derby, Still Not Confirmedfor 132nd Kentucky Derby
by Ultimatecapper.com Horse Handicapper Kenneth Strong
March 25, 2006 - Discreet Cat made it 2-for-2 in the desert and remained a perfect 3-for-3 lifetime with a runaway win in the $2 million U.A.E. Derby-G2 on March 25.
Owned by Godolphin Racing, Discreet Cat was impressive in the race, moving up a couple of notches in class and facing a few tough and accomplished European runners while also stretching out to a mile and an eighth in only his third career start. It would have been easy to excuse a loss under the conditions, but instead Discreet Cat proved he was no ordinary horse.
Stalking the pacesetters and rating nicely in mid pack for the first five furlongs under regular rider Frankie Dettori, Discreet Cat moved to challenge into the stretch, battled for a 100 yards, opened up under urging and drew off to win by six lengths. Dettori was easing the talented son of Forestry at the wire - and he definitely had something left in the tank.
Stablemate and longshot Testimony rallied for second. Japanese runner Flamme De Passion finished third. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was a good 1:49.56, the second fastest U.A.E. Derby ever run.
Considering Discreet Cat had made only two lifetime starts prior to the U.A.E. Derby, a sharp six-furlong win at Saratoga last summer and a romping victory over allowance caliber horses on March 9 of this year in the one-mile Areej Trophy at Nad Al Sheeba, it was an amazing performance.
Godolphin Racing manager Simon Crisford was concerned about Discreet Cat's ability to get the distance before the race, but will have to seriously think about entering the son of Forestry-Pretty Discreet by Private Account in the 2006 Kentucky Derby now.
The Godolphin team was also concerned about Discreet Cat's lack of seasoning and rightly so. Horses that win by large margins over suspect competition generally do not win the Kentucky Derby, even though they may be well bet. Discreet Cat might be something special however, and he might just be able to overcome his lack of seasoning.
Godolphin will now probably consider the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes-G1 on April 14 at Keeneland Racecourse. Barring that they may skip the Derby altogether and point for the second leg of the Triple Crown, the 131st running of the $1 Million Preakness Stakes-G1 on May 20 at Pimlico Racecourse.
It would not be surprising to see Discreet Cat at odds of less than 5-1 in either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness, but unlike other Godolphin runners that have tried the Triple Crown trail, this time the odds would be legitimate.
