Irvin S. Naylor’s Dubai Sunday opened a sizable early lead under jockey Darren Nagle and turned back a challenge by One Sea to win a $15,000 claiming hurdle by 4 1/2 lengths at Colonial Downs on Saturday, Sept. 18. Eagle Beagle finished third.
The longest price in the field of five at 6.30-to-1, Japan-bred Dubai Sunday ran away from his competitors on the first circuit of the spacious Colonial Downs turf course and led by ten lengths after a mile. Barracuda Racing Stable’s Eagle Beagle tracked him in second for the first 1 1/2 miles before One Sea seized the second spot. Ridden by Roddy Mackenzie, owner-trainer Randy Rouse’s One Sea closed within two lengths at the top of Colonial’s stretch, but Dubai Sunday extended his advantage again and drew away to the finish line.
Eagle Beagle, the 2.40-to-1 second betting choice, came back on the tiring One Sea and finished only a nose back in third position. Owner-trainer Dave Washer’s Junood finished fourth, and owner-trainer Karen Gray’s 2.30-to-1 favorite Cuse finished fifth.
Dubai Sunday, who had most recently finished fourth to Eagle Beagle in the James M. Moran claiming hurdle at the Radnor Hunt Races on May 15, ran the Colonial race’s 2 1/4 miles in 4:12.59 on firm turf. Trained by Desmond Fogarty at Naylor’s farm in Butler, Md., the nine-year-old Sunday Silence gelding increased his career earnings to $65,920.