Mubtaahij romps in UAE Derby, trainer says on to Kentucky

UAE-owned Mubtaahij, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, crosses the finish line to win the UAE Derby with the US$2,000,000 prize during the Dubai World Cup horse racing at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) UAE-owned Mubtaahij, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, crosses the finish line to win the UAE Derby with the US$2,000,000 prize during the Dubai World Cup horse racing at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

By Associated Press March 28, 2015 2 min read

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Well, that was easy.

Mubtaahij pulled away from the field around the final turn and cruised to an eight-length victory in the $2 million UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

The overpowering win convinced the 3-year-old’s trainer that it’s time to give the Kentucky Derby a try for the first time.

“We’ll be there,” said Mike de Kock, the well-known international trainer who rarely races in the United States. “This has given us a chance to get to the Kentucky Derby.”

A strong effort was needed by Mubtaahij to earn a spot in the May 2 Derby, and jockey Christophe Soumillon was happy to be along for the ride.