Sunday, March 28, 2004
Thoroughbred Times: Today's News
Pleasantly Perfect, Medaglia d’Oro fare well after World Cup clash
The Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on Saturday at Nad al Sheba produced an epic battle between the top two horses in America, Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia d’Oro, but the stretch-long struggle seemed to take more out of winner Pleasantly Perfect than his nemesis.
Jose Cuevas, exercise rider for trainer Bobby Frankel, though disappointed with his runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup, was proud of the courage shown by Medaglia d’Oro, who also finished second to Pleasantly Perfect in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
"He is not tired, he is jumping around," Cuevas said. "I walked him this morning, and he is feeling good."
Ruben Loza, Frankel’s assistant, echoed Cuevas’s assessment.
"He is a good horse, and he ran a great race," Loza said. "He just got beat by the better horse. I am happy with him."
Pleasantly Perfect, a robust horse who is usually very easy to gallop, has been on the muscle since coming to Dubai, and exercise rider Crystal Brown had her hands full each morning.
"I think I’m more tired than he is," she admitted Sunday morning after the son of Pleasant Colony ran the best race of his career. "He looks quite happy, but he is a little tired, too. He’s not lethargic, but he’s not jumping around by any means. He’s doing well, and is pretty pleased with himself."
Both Medaglia d’Oro and Pleasantly Perfect will remain in Dubai for a few more days, and then return to Southern California later on April 2.—K. T. Donovan
Pleasantly Perfect, Medaglia d’Oro fare well after World Cup clash
The Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on Saturday at Nad al Sheba produced an epic battle between the top two horses in America, Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia d’Oro, but the stretch-long struggle seemed to take more out of winner Pleasantly Perfect than his nemesis.
Jose Cuevas, exercise rider for trainer Bobby Frankel, though disappointed with his runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup, was proud of the courage shown by Medaglia d’Oro, who also finished second to Pleasantly Perfect in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
"He is not tired, he is jumping around," Cuevas said. "I walked him this morning, and he is feeling good."
Ruben Loza, Frankel’s assistant, echoed Cuevas’s assessment.
"He is a good horse, and he ran a great race," Loza said. "He just got beat by the better horse. I am happy with him."
Pleasantly Perfect, a robust horse who is usually very easy to gallop, has been on the muscle since coming to Dubai, and exercise rider Crystal Brown had her hands full each morning.
"I think I’m more tired than he is," she admitted Sunday morning after the son of Pleasant Colony ran the best race of his career. "He looks quite happy, but he is a little tired, too. He’s not lethargic, but he’s not jumping around by any means. He’s doing well, and is pretty pleased with himself."
Both Medaglia d’Oro and Pleasantly Perfect will remain in Dubai for a few more days, and then return to Southern California later on April 2.—K. T. Donovan
