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Bailey rides Congaree to win in San Antonio Handicap, considers
Dubai
Sunday February 02, 2003
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Jockey Jerry Bailey could opt out of a
chance to ride in the $6 million Dubai World Cup if there is a war
in the Middle East when the race is run in late March.
``When I've gone there before I've flown over Iraq and Iran,''
Bailey said Sunday after winning the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap
by two lengths with Congaree at Santa Anita Park. ``I know the
dangers.''
Bailey has ridden the Dubai World Cup winner three times: Cigar
in 1996, Captain Steve in 2001 and Street Cry in 2002. Even if he
chooses to try for a fourth victory in the $6 million race the
world's richest in the United Arab Emirates on March 29, Bailey
could be forced to make another decision. Trainer Bob Baffert plans
to run Congaree in Dubai, where one of his opponents could be
Medaglia d'Oro, a seven-length winner under Bailey in Saturday's
$400,000 Strub Stakes for 4-year-olds.
Bobby Frankel, who trains Medaglia d'Oro, also is considering
the one-mile race in Dubai. The $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on
March 1 is another possibility for both Congaree and Medaglia
d'Oro.
``The best scenario for me would be for one of them to run at
Santa Anita and the other to run in Dubai,'' Bailey said. ``That
way I get to keep both mounts.''
In the San Antonio, Congaree, went off as the 1-2 favorite in a
field of six. He stalked the early pace set by Fleetstreet Dancer,
took the lead into the stretch and drew clear. The son of 1991
Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Arazi covered the 1 1/8-mile course
in 1:47.60, two-fifths of a second faster than Medaglia d'Oro's
winning time in the Strub.
It was Congaree's fourth victory without a defeat at Santa
Anita. Bailey rode him to a win in Santa Anita's 1 1/16-mile San
Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 4.
Congaree has won nine of his 15 races. His $150,000 share of the
San Antonio purse lifted his earnings to $1,873,400. He paid $3,
$2.40 and $2.10. Milwaukee Brew was second, returning $3.20 and
$2.10. Pleasantly Perfect was third and paid $2.10 to show.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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