Dubai Sky continues upward Spiral

Dubai Sky carried his winning ways forward while switching from turf to Polytrack in Saturday’s $535,750 Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park, accelerating to the lead leaving the far turn and posting a comfortable 2 ¼-length decision in the Kentucky Derby prep race.

Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Dubai Sky earned 50 points toward a possible Kentucky Derby berth but isn’t Triple Crown nominated. Owners Besilu Stables and Three Chimneys Farm can make the son of Candy Ride eligible with a $6,000 late nomination fee by Monday’s deadline (March 23).

The bay three-year-old has now captured four straight races.

Breaking from the far outside post in 11-horse Spiral, Dubai Sky advanced to stalk front-runners Watchyourownrobber and Wireless Future in fourth through an opening quarter-mile in :22 4/5.

Dubai Sky edged forward after entering the backstretch, only a half-length back in third through a half-mile in :47 2/5, and was racing side-by-side with 5-2 second choice Royal Son entering the far turn.

Lezcano gave Dubai Sky his cue as they straightened into the stretch and the colt quickly seized command, opening up by a couple of lengths. Conquest Typhoon was the only danger but ran out of steam in midstretch, saving runner-up honors by a neck over the late-charging Firespike.

The runner-up and third-placer earned 20 and 10 points, respectively, and Task Force Glory picked up five points finishing fourth.

Off as the 7-1 fourth choice, Dubai Sky returned a $16.80 win mutuel after completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.26 on the synthetic surface.

Bred in Kentucky by Besilu Stables, Dubai Sky is out of the Chester House mare House of Danzing, making him a full brother to Twirling Candy, a graded stakes winner on all-weather, dirt and turf; and a half-brother to Grade 2 victor Ethnic Dance.

Third when making his debut in a Saratoga turf race last August, Dubai Sky won at second asking over the turf at Belmont Park in mid-September. He was off until December, returning with a dead-heat win over allowance foes at Gulfstream Park.

The bay colt was exiting a narrow victory in his stakes debut, the January 24 Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream.

With Saturday’s $313,500 payday, Dubai Sky has now earned $439,080 from his 5-4-0-1 record.

Dubai Sky photo courtesy of Turfway Park/Coady Photography