Hypothetical a Dirt Group 1 Winner for Lope de Vega
Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) showed improvement throughout last year’s carnival to finish second in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 and fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup, and the 5-year-old continued his ascent on Saturday with a win in the latest renewal of Round 3 to become the 14th Group 1 winner for his first and Lope De Vega’s first top-level winner on the dirt.
Breaking prominently from his wide gate, Hypothetical was driven forward by Mickael Barzalona and put his head in front as they passed the finish line for the first time. The 2019 GI Preakness S. runner-up and now locally trained Everfast (Take Charge Indy) refused to let Hypothetical get an early lead, however, and dueled with that rival on the rail through the first turn and into the backstretch. Hypothetical at last shook off Everfast midway down the backstretch to lead by a length, with Dubai Icon (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in striking distance on the outside and Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) poised on the rail. Everfast moved to re-rally and Remorse was driven up the rail as they straightened for home, but Hypothetical had more to give. He held off a persistent Remorse under a drive to win by a length, with Everfast edging out Kafoo (Curlin) for third 6 1/2 lengths back.
A 550,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, Hypothetical broke his maiden in his lone start at two in December of 2019 for John Gosden but was soundly beaten in three starts at three, joining Salem bin Ghadayer for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed after finishing last, beaten 39 lengths, in a Doncaster handicap in September of 2020. He had a busy carnival last year, making six starts including a winning debut before his aforementioned Group 1 exploits. Hypothetical beat just two home in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 on Jan. 14, but rebounded to win the G3 Firebreak S. on Feb. 4.
“I was travelling easy all the way around,” said Barzalona. “He’s a lovely horse and what he did last season–his first on dirt, which is never easy–showed he had some great potential.” Referring to the G1 Dubai World Cup on Mar. 26, Barzalona said, “Now we know he’s very good and hopefully he can go on and win the big one.”
By Kelsey Riley
Originally appeared in the TDN on March 6th, 2022
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