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| Staff Writer |
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Rattle N Roll is being prepared for a tilt at the Dubai World Cup as trainer Kenny McPeek looks to round off a successful Middle East campaign for the consistent 6YO.
The son of Connect secured his place in the Saudi Cup with victory in the Gr.3 Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on January 25. As the sole American representative in the February 22 showcase event, Rattle N Roll finished a creditable fifth against international opposition.
"He's a very consistent horse," McPeek said. "He's been a horse that's been in a good pattern for a while, and he just shipped to Dubai on Friday from Riyadh, and he settled in over there, and he's scheduled to have a work this weekend over the Meydan (Racecourse) course."
Owned by Lucky Seven Stable, Rattle N Roll was leased to Saudi Arabian businessman Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri for a three-race campaign culminating in the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup on April 5.
The chestnut has compiled an impressive career record of 10 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds from 25 starts, with seven graded victories to his name. Bred by St. Simon Place, he has accumulated US$3,341,641 in prize money.
Meanwhile, McPeek revealed that last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is still several weeks away from returning to serious work following disappointing performances in his two most recent outings.
The Goldencents colt finished unplaced in both the 2024 Gr.1 Malibu Stakes and the January 25 Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes , prompting McPeek to send him to renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.
Mystik Dan is currently galloping at Fair Grounds, where he has performed well previously. McPeek plans a cautious approach with the Kentucky Derby hero.
"We are going to be galloping for about two or three more weeks, and then put him back into a work routine, and then pick a next step, probably be much more conservative with him when he comes back," he added.
Since his Derby triumph, Mystik Dan finished second in the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes and eighth in the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes before a six-month break preceding the Malibu.
Owned by 4G Racing, Valley View Farm, Lance Gasaway, and Daniel Hamby III, Mystik Dan has finished in the top three in six of his 11 starts (3-2-1), earning US$4,211,860. He was bred by Gasaway, Hamby, and 4G Racing.