Toast of New York is the toast of Dubai and his connections will consider the possibility of trying to become the toast of Kentucky after posting an easy victory in the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed al Nab (UAE-II) March 29 at Meydan (VIDEO).
Trainer Jamie Osborne chalked up the 2 1/2-length win in which Toast of New York was never challenged in the stretch to the immense talent of Michael Buckley's Kentucky-bred 3-year-old colt by Thewayyouare—Claire Soleil, by Syncline. After the race on the Meydan simulcast, Osborne said all options were open when asked if he would consider a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
The 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16-mile) UAE Derby is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race and the 100 points earned by the UAE Derby winner punched his ticket to the 1 1/4-mile classic at Churchill Downs.
Toast of New York raced near the front throughout before seizing the lead and quickly opening a clear advantage 400 meters from the wire. He completed the race in 1:57.92 on the Tapeta Footings surface.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) runner-up Giovanni Boldini was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in U.S. pools presented by AmWest. The son of War Front raced near the back of the field of 12 before launching a late move in the stretch to finish fourth. While never threatening the winner, Giovanni Boldini lost a photo for third to Emirates Flyer.
West Virginia-bred Giovanni Boldini, who was being considered for the Kentucky Derby, secured 10 points toward that race but would have picked up twice as many if the photo had gone the other way. He finished a nose behind Emirates Flyer.
Toast of New York completed an impressive jump up in class as he entered Saturday's race off a pair of victories on the synthetic surface at Wolverhampton. While he won those two races by a combined 28 lengths, he entered the UAE Derby with career earnings of just $8,115. He picked up $1.2 million on Saturday.
Toast of New York was bred by Frank and Jackie Ramos and Ashleigh Stud. Consigned by Ashleigh Stud, Hunter Valley Farm, agent, at the 2012 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, Toast of New York was purchased for $35,000 by T. Hyde.
Toast of New York was guided to victory by Jamie Spencer, who picked up his second straight victory on the Dubai World Cup card after guiding Certerach to an upset victory in the Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (UAE-I).
In U.S. pools, Toast of New York returned $25.20 to win and $6.80 to place/show, while Asmar ran second, returning $8.20 to place/show. Emirates Flyer returned $4.60 to place-show.
Asmar, an Irish-bred 3-year-old son of Cape Cross, entered the UAE Derby off a victory in the Al Bastakiya Sponsored by Emirates Skywards. Emirates Flyer finished second in that prep race and after his third in the UAE Derby, the English-bred 3-year-old son of Acclamation has placed in six stakes races although he has not earned a trip to the winner's circle in any of those events.
