Vale of York, longshot winner of the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I), will make his 3-year-old debut in the $250,000 Al Bastikiya Stakes March 4 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
With regular ride Ahmed Ajtebi aboard, Vale of York will be the likely favorite in the 1 3/16-mile race on Meydan’s Tapeta surface. Post time is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. EST.
The Al Bastikiya is a prep for the UAE Derby (UAE-II) to be held on Dubai World Cup night, scheduled for March 27. Vale of York is nominated to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 1 at Churchill Downs but his connections have not yet decided if he will be pointed toward that race or if he will return to Europe.
The Al Bastikiya is one of six preps on the World Cup preview night. Other notable horses on the card are Vodka, Justenuffhumor , Desert Party , Cavalryman, and Gloria de Campeao.
Owned by Godolphin and trained by Saaed bin Suroor, Vale of York has been off since scoring by a head over Lookin At Lucky in the Nov. 7 BC Juvenile at Santa Anita. All of his other six starts have come on the turf in Europe, including a pair of group stakes-placed efforts as a 2-year-old.
A son of Invincible Spirit—Red Vale, by Halling, Vale of York was bred in Ireland by Stock Vale.
Learn more about Vale of York jockey Ahmed Ajtebi in the latest episode of HRTV's Inside Information. Watch Video.
