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Literature Completes New Chapter, Wins Desert World Cup
Original article written by Marzy Dotes posted 13 years 1 week agoHe spent most of the race in last place but when it counted, Literature kicked it into gear and won the hotly contested $5 million Grade I Desert World Cup by 2 ¼ lengths over War Daddy. The four old colt owned and bred by Jolene Danner romped the 1 ¼ mile distance over the dirt at Desert Oasis Park in the United Arab Emirates in 1:59.09.
Literature who is by former Horse of the Year and recently pensioned sire Throne and out of the stakes winning mare Lore (by Saga) which makes him a half brother to successful runner and fledgling sire Fable. But this attractive dark bay runner has built his career with six wins in 12 starts and having only finished off of the board once. He broke his maiden in his third start at two before winning the Steward’s Cup Juvenile over Sahara Sport.
At three, Literature hit the Triple Crown trail winning the Texan Derby before finishing third behind Don’t Hesitate and Thriller in the Louisville Derby. He skipped the second jewel, the Baltimore Crown to win the final one, the Long Island Classic. He also won the Midsummer Classic over Thriller before his fifth place finish in the Steward’s Cup Classic. Still, he came back this year to finish second to Liveinthemoment in the Gallant Socks Handicap before lining up around the globe for this thrilling race.
Jockey Miguel Byrne quickly settled him at the back of the pack after the gates flew open and Ocean and Prestige romped to the lead to engage in a duel with War Daddy waiting patiently behind them while Literature cooled his heels even further back. But the speed folded quickly when the horses hit the far turn and War Daddy took immediate advantage of that by making his move. However when they hit the stretch and roared on down it, Literature kicked it into gear and ran past the leaders, pulling away in sweeping fashion. War Daddy hung tough to capture second place by 1 ½ lengths over late closer, Promise Not to Cry.
And with that, Literature added another stirring chapter to his racing career with more installments yet to be written as he hopes to keep on the winning track for the remainder of this season to perhaps make another solid effort at the Steward’s Cup Classic with some maturity under his girth.