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| Staff Writer |
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Titanium Emperor caused a major upset at Dundalk by defeating odds-on favourite Mount Kilimanjaro in the Patton Stakes, the penultimate leg of the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby. The surprise victory has set the stage for a dramatic conclusion in Dubai next month.
The Amo Racing-owned colt, making his racecourse debut, stormed to victory under a confident ride to lead home a stable one-two for trainer Adrian Murray. Stablemate Spicy Margarita, an Earthlight filly co-owned with Giselle De Aguiar, claimed second place three lengths behind the winner, while Coolmore's Mount Kilimanjaro finished a disappointing third, a further half-length back after failing to produce any closing kick when asked by jockey Ryan Moore in the one-mile Polytrack contest.
The victory earned Titanium Emperor 20 points, creating a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard alongside Godolphin's Opera Ballo and Silverton Hill Partnership's Hotazhell. Notably, none of these contenders are currently original nominees to the United States Triple Crown series.
Murray, who celebrated the Dundalk double, was previously responsible for another Amo Racing star, Hill Road. The Quality Road colt, who finished third in the 2024 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, has since been transferred to Chad Brown and is set to contest the Gr.3 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8.
The UAE Derby on April 5 will now determine the ultimate qualifier from the Euro/Mideast Road, with the winner receiving 100 points and the next four finishers earning 50, 25, 15, and 10 points respectively. This restructured point system ensures the first three finishers will secure the top three positions in the final standings, guaranteeing a bid to the US$3 million Gr.1 Kentucky Derby on May 3.
The UAE Derby's position within Churchill Downs' qualification system has shifted this year as part of a strategic restructuring aimed at increasing international participation in America's most prestigious race. Previously part of the main American-based Road to the Kentucky Derby series, it now forms the cornerstone of the Euro/Mideast pathway.
"The restructuring reflects our commitment to increasing international participation in the Run for the Roses," said a Churchill Downs representative.
While Churchill Downs also sponsors a Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, Japanese connections have consistently preferred the Dubai qualification route in recent years.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi used the 2024 UAE Derby as a springboard for Forever Young. After winning in Dubai, the Real Steel colt went on to finish third in a dramatic photo finish at Churchill Downs before claiming another third place in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.
The previous year saw Derma Sotogake follow a similar pattern, winning in Dubai before finishing sixth in the Kentucky Derby and then claiming second behind White Abarrio in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
In 2022, Crown Pride and Summer Is Tomorrow finished first and second in the UAE Derby, before setting an unsustainable pace in Louisville, inadvertently paving the way for Rich Strike's famous upset victory.
This year's Gr.3 Saudi Derby winner, Golden Vekoma, currently based in Dubai, is expected to attempt the Middle East "Derby double" on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse.