The warmth of Dubai clearly suits the 5-year-old North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is now four from four at Meydan since leaving England for the Gulf, his latest victory being a seven-length romp in the G3 Firebreak S.
Sent straight to the head of affairs and settled on the rail by Richard Mullen, the Satish Seemar-trained gelding was challenged early for the lead by the free-running Desert Force (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) but remained in a commanding position throughout until breaking from the pack as the field turned for home.
Kicking further clear down the straight, his fourth straight win and first black-type success never looked in doubt as Ennobled Friend (Malibu Moon) gave vain chase under Colm O'Donoghue, but had to settle for a distant second, with Lindo Amor (Arg) (Dynamix) another three and a quarter lengths adrift in third.
“That was obviously his best performance so far and he is just getting better,” said pilot Richard Mullen. “Basically, I was always happy and was able to give him a breather on the home turn. From there, he has really responded in great style and it gives the whole team a nice problem to consider as where to go next.”
North America started his career in the royal blue silks of Godolphin, but was unable to notch a win in two seasons with Charlie Appleby. Off the track since Aug. 21, 2015, he reappeared last year in Dubai, posting an eight-length success on his resumption in a mile maiden for Seemar on Nov. 17. That debut strike was followed by another two handicap wins over course and distance before his step up into group company.
Pedigree Notes…
Bred by Qatar Bloodstock and sold as a foal at Tattersalls for 100,000gns, North America is the fifth foal of the Yankee Victor mare Northern Mischief, a dual winner who finished third in the G1 Hollywood Starlet S. of 2004 and a half-sister to treble Grade 1 winner Gourmet Girl (Cee's Tizzy). Sold for $340,000 then $450,000 at Keeneland in 2006 and 2008, Northern Mischief has been through sales rings three more times since then and most recently changed hands for just €1,000 at Goffs November Sale last year, just 24 hours before North America began his winning streak. The 15-year-old mare has an unraced 3-year-old filly named Liquid Gold (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), a 2-year-old filly by Shamardal and will be covered this season by Dandy Man (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
FIREBREAK S. (SPONSORED BY MEYDAN ONE MALL)-G3, $200,000, MEY, 2-11, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:36.51, ft.
1–#@NORTH AMERICA (GB), 126, g, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Northern Mischief (GISP, $123,918), by Yankee Victor
2nd Dam: Rhondaling (GB), by Welsh Pageant (Fr)
3rd Dam: Touch of Class (Fr), by Luthier (Fr)
(100,000gns Wlg '12 DADNOV). O-Imhamed M I Nagem;
B-Qatar Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Satish Seemar; J-Richard
Mullen. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 10-4-2-1, $252,172. Werk
Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ennobled Friend, 126, g, 7, Malibu Moon–Seek to Soar, by
Seeking the Gold. ($140,000 Ylg '11 FTNAUG; $725,000 2yo '12
FTFMAR). O-Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Phillips
Racing Partnership (KY); T-Ahmad bin Harmash. $40,000.
3–Lindo Amor (Arg), 126, c, 4, Dynamix–Linda Love (Arg), by
Salt Lake. O-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum &
Daniel Mautone; B-Haras Vacacion (ARG); T-Mike de Kock.
$20,000.
Margins: 7, 3 1/4, 1HF.
Also Ran: Heavy Metal (GB), Desert Force (GB), Surfer, Nabbaash (GB), Confrontation.
Click for the Racing Post chart or the ERA Video.
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