Godolphin’s Gayego, who won the Mahab al Shimaal (Gr.3) and finished second in the Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) earlier this year, stormed from next to last down the center of the track to win Sunday’s US$300,000 Ancient Title Stakes (Gr.1) at Santa Anita Park.

The impressive victory, accomplished in 1:08.28 for the six furlongs, will propel the four-year-old son of Gilded Time into a Breeders’ Cup race at Santa Anita, most probably the Sprint (Gr.1), said winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“The race went as I expected. Before the race I told the jockey to make a wide move. I told him it depends on how fast they go, but if he could get (Gayego) in a good position, it would be great for him,” Suroor said. “He handled the surface here very well.”

Even before the Ancient Title, which drew a strong field of ten, Gayego had proved he relishes Santa Anita’s synthetic surface, winning a stakes last year in record time for 6 ½ furlongs. Jockey Garrett Gomez indicated he was impressed with the versatile colt’s acceleration on Sunday.

“I just didn’t know how much of a turn of foot he’d have, but he answered that question,” Gomez said. “These guys (with Godolphin) know their horses. I wasn’t surprised that he settled as well as he did because they said he would. They told me to just take my time with him and get him up under me and he’d come home no problem.”

Gayego defeated Crown of Thorns by 1 ¼ lengths, with Delta Storm another half length back in third. Winner of last year’s Arkansas Derby (Gr.2) at 1 1/8 miles, Gayego improved his career record to seven wins in 13 starts with three seconds and boosted his career earnings to $1,299,620.

Also on Sunday’s program, Spring House rallied to be third behind front-running winner Presious Passion in the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (Gr.1) at Santa Anita. Owned by R. D. Hubbard, Spring House competed in the 2008 Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) and since then has won four Grade 2 races and set a course record at Del Mar.

In other American racing over the weekend, Godolphin’s dual UAE classic winner Cocoa Beach finished third, about 1 ½ lengths behind undefeated champion Zenyatta, in Saturday’s $299,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes (Gr.1)over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. Cocoa Beach bobbled at the start and then pressed the early pace set by Briecat before dropping back to fifth and then gaining ground in the stretch under Richard Migliore. The Lady’s Secret is a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (Gr.1).

Informed—another graduate of the Godolphin Mile this year and subsequently a multiple Grade 2 stakes winner—finished eighth in the $305,000 Goodwood Stakes (Gr.1) won by Gitano Hernando on Saturday. The Goodwood is a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr.1) and last year was won by eventual Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) victor Well Armed.

Godolphin’s dual UAE classic winner Cocoa Beach will attempt to bounce out of a disappointing season so far when she faces unbeaten American champion mare Zenyatta in Saturday’s US$300,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes (Gr.1) at Santa Anita Park.

The race is a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (Gr.1) and will serve as a rematch for the five-year-old distaffers, who finished 1-2 in that event last year, with Zenyatta prevailing by 1 ½ lengths. Since then, Cocoa Beach has won two of four starts but only one of those wins has been registered in 2009 and that came in a restricted stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Meanwhile, Zenyatta—a daughter of Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) winner Street Cry—has won all three of her starts this year, including the Vanity Handicap (Gr.1) and the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (Gr.1) at Hollywood Park and Del Mar, respectively. She will be attempting to gain her 13th consecutive victory without a defeat.

Both Zenyatta and Cocoa Beach will carry 123 pounds in the 1 1/16th-mile contest over the Pro-Ride surface. A field of eight has been entered, with Cocoa Beach set to break from the rail under Richard Migliore while Zenyatta has drawn the five post with regular rider Mike Smith.

Life Is Sweet, a four-year-old full sister to champion Sweet Catomine who has won half her six starts this year including the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (Gr.1) and who finished third against males in the Hollywood Gold Cup (Gr.1), appears to be the top contender among the other entries. She will break from post four under Garrett Gomez.

Also on Saturday’s program, Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) graduate Informed will take on nine rivals in what promises to be a stellar renewal of the Goodwood Stakes (Gr.1) over 1 1/8 miles. Worth $350,000, the Goodwood is a prime prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr.1) and was won last year by eventual Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed.

After returning from Dubai this spring, Informed has done the best racing of his career, winning the San Diego Handicap (Gr.2) and Californian Stakes (Gr.2). He has drawn the nine post and will be ridden by Michael Baze.

Others in the Goodwood field include Kentucky Derby (Gr.1) winner Mine That Bird, multiple Grade 1 winners Colonel John and Tiago, and Pacific Classic Stakes (Gr.1) winner Richard’s Kid.

After winning his first American start of 2009 on August 17 at Saratoga Race Course, Godolphin’s Gayego will attempt to gain his initial elite career victory in Sunday’s US$300,000 Ancient Title Stakes (Gr.1) over six furlongs at Santa Anita Park.

A prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Gr.1), the Ancient Title appears to be a promising spot for Gayego, a four-year-old son of Gilded Time who won the Mahab al Shimaal (Gr.3) and finished second in the Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) at Nad al Sheba earlier this year. He will have Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez in the irons and start from post position five in the field of ten.

Last year’s Ancient Title winner, Cost of Freedom, has to be respected but the six-year-old gelding will be making only his second start of 2009 following a fourth-place finish in the Pirate’s Bounty Stakes at Del Mar on September 9.

Zayat Stables’ multiple graded stakes-placed Riley Tucker, who was second in the Tom Fool Handicap (Gr.2) at Belmont Park in July and fifth in the Forego Stakes (Gr.1) at Saratoga Race Course to Godolphin’s winning Pyro on September 5, also could be a contender.

J. Paul Reddam’s Square Eddie, winner of the 2008 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (Gr.1) and second to champion Midshipman in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr.1), will be making his first start since he was third in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (Gr.2) at Keeneland Race Course on April 18.

Also on Sunday’s Oak Tree at Santa Anita program is the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (Gr.1) at 1 ¼ miles. Spring House, who competed in the 2008 Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) and who is having a career-best season in 2009 with three graded stakes victories, could be a threat from post nine with jockey Alex Solis.

Presious Passion, winner of the United Nations Stakes (Gr.1) in July for the second consecutive year, will be among the Hirsch favorites, along with Artiste Royal, who won the Hirsch in 2007 and the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (Gr.1) in 2008.

Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) winner Two Step Salsa will begin a stud career in 2010 after being acquired from Godolphin by Manuel Andrade, who will stand the four-year-old son of Petionville at his Get Away Farm in Florida.

Winner of both his starts in Dubai earlier this year, Two Step Salsa earned the most significant victory of his career when he defeated stablemate Gayego by 2 ¼ lengths in the Godolphin Mile. Overall, he has won six of 12 starts, including the 2008 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (Gr.3) and the Affirmed Handicap (Gr.3), and has placed three times while earning US$1,104,040.

“There are so many things to like about him, and I think he’s going to be a great fit for Florida,” Andrade said. “He has a lot of speed and has won a lot of money. He’s great looking, and he’s sound. I was looking for a stallion, and he just fit the puzzle. We’re keeping his stud fee incredibly conservative for what he’s done and what everybody believes he’s worth.”

Two Step Salsa’s fee will be $5,000.

Drawing on the class that has propelled her to championship status the past two years, Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1) runner-up Indian Blessing turned back a stiff stretch-long challenge from Godolphin’s Sara Louise in Saturday’s US$156,500 Gallant Bloom Handicap (Gr.2) at Belmont Park.

After breaking a bit tardily under John Velazquez, Indian Blessing quickly made up ground to rate fourth through the first quarter-mile behind pacesetter Any Limit, who stopped the teletimer in a rapid :22.29.

Moving up boldly between Any Limit and Thunders Dove around the far turn, Indian Blessing seized the lead as Sara Louise—the last horse to defeat superstar filly Rachel Alexandra—rallied from fourth on the outside in the field of six distaff runners.

With Velazquez urging on the four-year-old Indian Blessing and Edgar Prado aboard three-year-old Sara Louise, the two fillies staged an inspiring duel, with Indian Blessing reaching the wire a head in front as Sara Louise seemed to be gaining on her. But her momentum was not enough to defeat America’s champion juvenile filly of 2007 and champion female sprinter of ’08, who won the Gallant Bloom for the second consecutive year.

Remarkably consistent, Indian Blessing improved her record to ten wins in 16 starts during a career in which she has finished worse than second only once and in which all but one of her victories are in graded stakes. After crossing the finish line in 1:15.29 for the 6 ½ furlongs on a track rated fast, she earned $93,900 for owners and breeders Hal and Patti Earnhardt, boosting her overall bankroll to $2,995,420.

“She put up a really good fight today,” Velazquez said. “She didn’t leave out of there all that well, and I had to use her a little bit to get position. I let her be comfortable and wait. When the hole opened up, I took the spot and went on with her. I tell you, the other filly was a brave one, too. She kept coming back to me. The more I asked my filly, the more the other one kept coming back. It was a good effort for both fillies.”

Tonja Terranova, assistant to winning trainer Bob Baffert, said Indian Blessing “ran her eyeballs out.”

Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee also praised Indian Blessing. “I didn’t think (Sara Louise) would get beat today, she was training that well. The other filly showed her class.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum’s Honour Devil, winner of the 2008 UAE Derby (Gr.2) and Two Thousand Guineas (Gr.3), has been entered for Wednesday’s Mr. Right Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park.

The race will mark the first competition in the United States for the five-year-old Argentine-bred son of Honour and Glory. Now trained by Kiaran McLaughlin after racing in the UAE for Mike de Kock, Honour Devil is due to be ridden by Rajiv Maragh in what appears to be a very competitive eight-horse field.

Others in the race include stakes winner Rising Moon, who was third behind Dry Martini and 2007 UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy in the Suburban Handicap (Gr.2); Grade 2 winners Mint Lane and Timber Reserve, who are making only their second starts of 2009; Grade 3 winner Hunting, who has not yet raced this year, and Coal Play, who won the Salvatore Mile Handicap (Gr.3) at Monmouth Park in July.

Honour Devil, due to start from the rail, last raced on March 5 when he finished second by 2 ½ lengths to Snaafy in the Burj Nahaar (Gr.3) over 1,600 meters at Nad al Sheba. In February, he finished third in a conditions race won by Dijeerr in his first start since defeating Royal Vintage in the UAE Derby the previous year.

In other American racing news, Asiatic Boy prepared for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Gr.1) on October 3 by recording a bullet workout at Belmont on Saturday, covering a half-mile in :47.55, fastest of 38 at the distance.

Godolphin’s dual UAE classic-winning filly of 2008, Cocoa Beach, prepared for the Beldame Stakes (Gr.1) by drilling five furlongs in :59.84, fastest of 29 at the distance.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Albertus Maximus, who was the early favorite for this year’s Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) but whose chances were compromised by a tendon injury in the race, is back in training under the supervision of Kiaran McLaughlin.

Although Albertus Maximus has not done any timed speed work yet, McLaughlin said while in Lexington, Kentucky, for the Keeneland September yearling sale that “he’s doing really well” since resuming light work at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Only time and some quick drills will determine how Albertus Maximus’s injured right front tendon will hold up, but McLaughlin said he is optimistic.

“Keep your fingers crossed for the Donn Handicap (Gr.1),” he declared with a smile, citing the race that is the premier American prep for the Dubai World Cup.

Albertus Maximus won this year’s Donn Handicap before his star-crossed trip to Dubai. Thus, McLaughlin seems to be hoping that if Albertus Maximus can stay sound, the five-year-old son of Albert the Great might make it back to Dubai for another try at the world’s richest race.

Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) graduates Marsh Side and Quijano both ran well in Sunday’s CAN$750,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Gr.1) at Woodbine Race Track near Toronto, with the former crossing the finish line first and the latter only about a half-length back in third.

However, Marsh Side was disqualified by the stewards for bearing in during the stretch run and impeding Quijano and favored Champs Elysees, and the Neil Dysdale trainee was subsequently disqualified from first and placed fourth.

The revised order of finish moved the rallying runner-up, owner/trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s Just as Well, to first, with Quijano awarded second and Champs Elysees, who had to severely check while making a threatening move along the rail, third.

Ridden by Javier Castellano, Marsh Side rated in second for most of the 1 ½-mile race as longshot Medjool opened up as much as a 6 ½-length lead while setting slow fractions of :24.98, :49.73, 1:14.62 and 1:39.34 on the firm turf. Entering the stretch, Marsh Side bid for the lead and got to the front, but veered in with a furlong still to run, forcing Quijano toward the rail and thus shutting off Champs Elysees.

Marsh Side has run his best races at Woodine, having scored in the 2008 Canadian International Stakes (Gr.1), won the 2006 Valedictory Stakes in track record time and finished second in the 2007 Northern Dancer. Last year, Juddmonte Farms’ Champs Elysees won the Northern Dancer over Quijano, with Marsh Side fourth.

Sheppard expressed some regret about Just as Well, a six-year-old son of A.P. Indy, winning via the disqualification of Marsh Side, a six-year-old son of Gone West. The victory marked the first at Grade 1 level for Just as Well, who has won or placed in 13 of 19 starts and earned US$978,155.

“I feel badly," Sheppard said. "Neil (Drysdale) is a good friend. He’s got an awfully good horse. He possibly was the best horse but he certainly bore across the course in the late stages.”

Godolphin’s Regal Ransom leapt out of the starting gate first and was never challenged in Saturday’s US$750,000 Super Derby (Gr.2) at Louisiana Downs, leading all the way to earn a 1 ¼-length victory and a second Derby trophy for the Maktoum family.

Winner of the UAE Derby (Gr.2) in March, Regal Ransom was making only his second start since then following an eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1) over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs. He was sidelined afterward by curbs in his hocks, but he demonstrated he is back on his game with his Super Derby score.

"My horse was traveling so comfortably and relaxed; I really felt like a winner in the first turn,” jockey Richard Migliore told Daily Racing Form.

Migliore and Regal Ransom cruised easily through fractions of :24.05, :49.03 and 1:13.11 while building up a four-length lead by the stretch call. Although Claiborne Farm’s and Adele Dilschneider’s Blame cut into the margin, he was not a threat and Regal Ransom won “ridden out,” according to the chart of the race.

Blame finished 3 ¼ lengths in front of third-placed Massone, with West Virginia Derby (Gr.2) winner Soul Warrior another five lengths back in fourth. Regal Ransom’s time for the 1 1/8 miles over a track rated fast was 1:49.63.

Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee had been anticipating a good effort from Regal Ransom based on how well the son of Distorted Humor had been training.

“He really responded well to the time off. He really trained well up at Saratoga. We're not surprised that he ran a big race,” Mettee said. “We didn't expect to win maybe this easy, but we weren't surprised.

"Coming here to win this race means a lot," he addedd. "You can tell this is a big event. This is one of our biggest wins in America, especially money-wise."

Regal Ransom improved his record to three wins in seven starts, and the $450,000 winner’s share of the purse boosted his career earnings to $1,747,200.

A new target for Regal Ransom has not yet been pinpointed, Mettee said after the race.

UAE Derby (Gr.2) winner Regal Ransom will make his first start in more than four months in Saturday’s US$750,000 Super Derby (Gr.2) at Louisiana Downs, taking on six rivals including favored West Virginia Derby (Gr.2) victor Soul Warrior.

Even though Regal Ransom has not competed since he finished unplaced on a muddy track in the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1), Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee said he expects the son of Distorted Humor to be in good form as he chases a second Derby trophy.

"He trained well at Saratoga all summer and he is ready to run again,” Mettee said. “Nine furlongs won’t be easy, coming back from a long layoff, but he is such a generous worker that we can get him fit enough from doing his morning breezes. He takes his work very seriously, and we are expecting him to run a nice race.”

Regal Ransom has won two of six starts and placed twice, including a runner-up effort in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (Gr.3), and has earned $1,297,200. Richard Migliore will be aboard Regal Ransom, replacing Alan Garcia, and will steer the colt out of post position four.

Soul Warrior will be making his first start since he defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and four others in the West Virginia Derby on August 1. The chestnut son of Lion Heart, owned by Zayat Stables, will break from post two for trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey John Velazquez.

Frankfurt Stable’s Massone, who is coming off an allowance/optional claiming win at Del Mar on August 16, also could be a threat in the 1 1/8-mile contest. Jockey Garrett Gomez returns to the irons and the pair will break from post three.

In other North American racing action on Saturday, Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) competitors Marsh Side and Quijano will join Juddmonte Farms’ Grade 1 winner Champs Elysees and Canadian champion Marchfield in a competitive field of ten for Sunday’s $750,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Gr.1) over 1 ½ miles at Woodbine Race Track.