Sarawak Rim and an unexpected misstep that forces a fresh start

The daughter of Remote faltered in a allowance race at Gulfstream Park, finishing further back than she did in the Breeders' Cup Distaff

Senza Parole and a comfortable victory, wearing the Don Alberto silks / GULFSTREAM PARK

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— There was great anticipation this Thursday for the second U.S. start of Sarawak Rim, following her more than acceptable performance in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1)last November at Del Mar, which served as her local debut.

However, the story did not end as her team had dreamed. On the contrary, she showed very little, performing significantly worse than she did in the series, despite showing great form during her morning workouts in recent weeks.

The daughter of Remote, co-owned by Haras Firmamento—whose colors she carried—and Stud Los Melli, finished sixth and second-to-last, 20 3/4 lengths behind Senza Parole (Gun Runner)—of Haras Don Alberto—in the seventh race at Gulfstream Park, an allowance optional claiming event with an $87,000 purse, contested over a mile on the dirt.

With Edgard Zayas in the irons, Sarawak Rim sat fourth during a good portion of the trip and showed an interesting move entering the first part of the turn. However, a few seconds later, when the rest of the field quickened, she rapidly lost ground, dropping to the back and only narrowly avoiding finishing last by a head.

At the other end of the spectrum, the favorite responded perfectly under Irad Ortiz Jr. to win by a commanding 7 3/4 lengths in 1:38.01.

After the race, Ezequiel Valle, part of the Firmamento team, commented: "She ran much worse than we imagined, but the good news is that she came out of it sound. Our assessment is that she doesn't like this surface, and the idea now is to try her on the turf and over more distance to see where we stand."

This was Sarawak Rim's first start under the care of George Arnold II. As a reminder, the bay won the Gran Premio Criadores (G1) at Palermo on May 1st, where she qualified for the Distaff, for which she was prepared by Ignacio Correas (h.).

Today, Quereme Pass Inactive since enjoying a victory at Kentucky Downs in early October, the Argentine Quereme Pass (Distinctiv Passion) will compete this afternoon at Gulfstream Park. He will take part in the eighth race, a $25,000 allowance optional claiming with an $86,000 purse, to be contested over 1,500 meters on the turf.