Najjar works ahead of the Arkansas Derby
The 3-year-old colt, Najjar, is pointed toward the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby to be held at Oaklawn Park on 14 April, 2012, at about 1 1/8 miles where he will face8 other, 3-year-old colts.
Shadwell Stable’s Najjar tried most his juvenile season looking for that elusive maiden win, and the whole of season he attempted 4 times to break his maiden, but failed, coming close on two occasions when he finishes second twice once at Arlington Park
and the other at Keeneland, both races were run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles.
Trained by Daniel C. Peitz, Najjar broke his maiden at fifth attempt this year at Oaklawn Park at the same distance and then went on to bag an allowance race at Oaklawn Park, but he failed miserably in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on 17 March,
2012, to winner Secret Circle.
The Kentucky bred son of Jazil, out of mare Hasheema by Darshaan, Najjar turned in a five furlong breeze yesterday morning at Oaklawn Park. With Calvin Borel aboard, Najjar breezed five furlongs in 1 minute and 1 3/5 seconds, and then went on to gallop 6
furlongs afterwards in 1 minute and 14 seconds.
"Doesn't every trainer say 'it was just what I asked for'?" asked Peitz. "I told Calvin I was looking for about 1:01 with about 37 in the first part and come home in 24 for the second part. He didn't quite hit those, but close enough and he galloped out
really strong. You always like to see that. So pretty much it was exactly what we asked for."
"He breezes pretty much like he runs," said Peitz. "He doesn't show you a whole lot of speed in the first part, and we haven't really tried to change that."
There is another workout lined up for Najjar as he gets closer to the start in the Arkansas Derby said trainer Daniel C. Peitz. Najjar will face tough opponents the likes of Creative Cause and Liaison, while Midnight Transfer and Longview Drive, who will
cease ever opportunity to overhaul the two best runners in the race.
Tags: