Legalaized Makes a Striking Meydan Debut, Fueling Big Dreams Ahead

After a long layoff and shouldering a hefty 62 kilos, the Argentine colt finished second, 3 1/4 lengths behind Six Speed in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, while Uruguay’s Namaguederaz checked in ninth

Six Speed, racing wide, got the better of Legalaized on the inside in the stretch / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).— Everything was stacked against Argentine colt Legalaized on Friday in his Meydan debut in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, contested over 1400 meters on dirt. A lengthy layoff, post 14—one of the widest— and, above all, the burden of topweight at 62 kilos, a hefty impost due to his Southern Hemisphere foaling and his status as a stakes winner, made for a daunting assignment.

Even so, the son of Dabster delivered a highly encouraging performance—one that invites optimism about seeing him among the protagonists of the local Triple Crown, as has so often been the case with South American runners, with the unforgettable Asiatic Boy (Not For Sale) standing as the series’ hero back in 2007.

The new hope—and the current star resident at La Mission—shares more than ambition with that past champion: the silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, colors previously carried by Honour Devil (Honour and Glory), Vale Dori (Asiatic Boy), Auto Bahn (Asiatic Boy), and Ooty (Dabster), among others.

Ridden by James Doyle and trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, Legalaized broke from the outside but quickly secured a favorable position. Up front, Francisco Leandro sent the Uruguayan Namaguederaz (Algorithms) to the lead, also making his local debut.

Legalaized ranged up approaching the turn and asserted himself early in the straight. From well back, however, the U.S.-bred Six Speed (Not This Time) emerged powerfully, carrying 56.5 kilos under William Buick for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

Six Speed swept past to score by 3 1/4 lengths, with Legalaized second and nearly five lengths clear of Union Security (Maximum Security) in third. The final time was 1:25.28. Lino Padrino (Uncle Lino), the public choice, finished fourth, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner, while Namaguederaz checked in ninth, some 13 1/2 lengths back, trained by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga.

Legalaized’s first international test earned far more than a passing grade. His unbeaten record may be gone, but the runner-up effort punches his ticket straight to the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3), where he’ll seek swift redemption.