December 3, 2015 - Meydan Racecourse, Race 2, Msw, AED Dhs34,000, 1200m,
1st Dam: Bayou Tortuga
2st Dam: Tortuga Band
2st Dam: Super Fan
Owner: Valentin Bukhtoyarov & Evgeny Kappushev
Breeder: Bob McCann, Mark Kelder & Doug Richards (KY)
Trainer: Doug Watson
Polar River turned in an absolutely stunning debut performance, trouncing a group of mostly older males by 13 1/2 lengths. Drawn on the fence in the field of 12 runners, the bay filly jumped on terms and argued what appeared to be a good pace while inside of a rival into the turn. Still holding more or less a share of the lead as they turned for home with 450 meters to race, Polar River delivered a powerful turn of foot, covering her final two furlongs in :22.66, according to Trakus data. The final time was 0.23 seconds off the track record set by Secret Circle (Eddington) in last year’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. “She is very useful,†said winning jockey Sam Hitchcott. “It was a very good performance, especially first time out. It would be nice to think she will build on this and hopefully she is a filly with a big future.†The winner’s multiple stakes-placed second dam is responsible for the talented Louisiana-bred duo of Tortuga Straits (Gold Tribute) and Tortuga Flats (Wild Zone), who between them won 13 black-type races and better than $1.4 million. Bayou Tortuga is the dam of a yearling filly by Flatter that made $100,000 at this year’s Keeneland September sale, while the mare’s weanling son of The Factor was knocked down for $200,000 at the Keeneland November sale. Sales history: $25,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP; $40,000 2yo ‘15 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $20,421. Click for the Racing Post chart or the Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
O-Valentin Bukhtoyarov & Evgeny Kappushev; B-Bob McCann, Mark Kelder & Doug Richards; T-Doug Watson.
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