Sheikh Hamdan's Tamarkuz (Speightstown), whose four-race winning streak at the recently concluded Dubai International Racing Carnival was capped by a trouble-filled victory in the G2 Godolphin Mile Mar. 28, has been repatriated and will be pointed by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin for a start in the GI Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park June 6, according to published reports.
Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther and consigned by his Glennwood Farm, the chestnut colt fetched $325,000 from Shadwell Estate Co. as a Keeneland September yearling in 2011 and was a revelation at Meydan this winter with a handicap second Jan. 8 before commencing his winning skein in similar company two weeks later. Winner of the G3 Firebreak S. and G3 Burj Nahaar S. in his next two starts, Tamarkuz missed the break from the inside stall in the Godolphin Mile and was caught in behind runners into the stretch. He called upon all his reserves and was just able to outfinish Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride {Arg}).
Tamarkuz is the first foal out of the unraced Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid), a half-sister to GISW Stay Thirsty (Bernardini), GSW & MGISP Andromeda's Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus) and SW & GISP Superfly (Fusaichi Pegasus). Winner of seven of his 13 career trips to the post, Tamarkuz has earnings to date of $964,825.
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