Sulamani to Skip Arc for Turf Classic

(from Arlington Park notes)
Godolphin Racing Inc.'s Sulamani, adjudged winner of the Arlington Million (gr. IT) two weeks ago, will make his next start in the Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) Sept. 27 at Belmont Park, according to Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin.

Sulamani, who finished second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) at Longchamp last fall while still a sophomore racing against his elders, will bypass this year's running of that French classic Oct. 5 in favor of the New York race. The son of Hernando will then be pointed for the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Oct. 25, Crisford has indicated.

Sulamani won the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby, Fr-I) last year and annexed the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) in March of this season, but was making his first start in the United States in the Arlington Million after crossing the Atlantic on a private equine air charter Aug. 10. The Irish-bred has six wins from 10 starts in two seasons and has earned $3,127,245.

Mrs. Susan McCarthy's Kaieteur, who eventually finished in a dead-heat for second in the Million, the fourth leg of the 2003 World Series of Racing Championship, will now be pointed for the fifth race in the series – the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown on Sept. 6.

Kaieteur, a son of 1997 Arlington Million winner Marlin, returned to Europe Aug. 19, unscathed despite a dangerously troubled Arlington trip. The Kentucky-bred could face a host of accomplished rivals in that upcoming race on The Emerald Isle.

Possible opponents include the Irish-bred High Chaparral, winner of the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) last year at Arlington Park; Godolphin's Moon Ballad, winner of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 29; and Irish-bred Falbrav, winner of the Coral-Eclipse (Eng-I) at Sandown July 5.