Muhtathir Preps for Atto Mile, Draws Post 11
by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: 9/7/2000 7:23:14 PM
Last Updated: 9/8/2000 2:47:12 PM

Godolphin Racing's Muhtathir turned in a sharp five-furlong drill on Woodbine's inner turf course Thursday morning and then drew post position 11 for the track's $1-million Atto Mile (gr. IT) on Sunday. Muhtathir completed the work in 1:00 2/5, handily, over the firm turf.

"I don't think the draw is ideal but you've got plenty of early pace," said Ross Campbell, a head lad with Godolphin. "I hope we can overcome that and get a good position early on in the race, maybe the top half. He's usually up there with the pace. It's a long straight and he's got to get every yard of the mile. I'm very hopeful."

At 124 pounds, Muhtathir is co-highweighted with Ladies Din, and comes into the race out of a winning effort in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I), in which Sendawar finished second. Affirmed Success, Honest Lady, and Kahal -- each at 121 pounds -- are next in the weights among the 13 starters.

NBC will broadcast the Atto Mile live as part of a one-hour program beginning at 2:00 p.m. (EDT). The field will consist of:

1--Cracker's Folly, Patrick Husbands, 117, 30-1
2--Arkadian Hero, Jamie Spencer, 119, 12-1
3--Honest Lady, Pat Day, 121, 8-1
4--Ladies Din, Kent Desormeaux, 124, 3-1
5--Think Red, Todd Kabel, 114, 15-1
6--Heliotrope, Neil Poznansky, 116, 30-1
7--Dawson's Legacy, Gary Boulanger, 117, 30-1
8--Affirmed Success, Jorge Chavez, 121, 9-2
9--Kahal, Brice Blanc, 121, 8-1
10--Solitary Dancer, Mickey Walls, 119, 15-1
11--Muhtathir, Mike Smith, 124, 7-2
12--Valid N Bold, Robert Landry, 117, 50-1
13--Riviera, Jorge Velasquez, 117, 15-1

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