Aiken trained Darley horses enjoy big weekend

2/5/2012 - Aiken trained Darley horses enjoy big weekend
By Ben Baugh

Godolphin Racing LLC's Alpha stamped himself as one of the best of his generation with a commanding 3 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-miles Grade 3 Withers Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct. It was the second consecutive stakes victory for the son of Bernardini, and Alpha hopes to follow in his sire's footsteps, as Bernardini was a Classic winner and took home year end honors with an Eclipse Award during his sophomore campaign.

The bay 3-year-old colt won his 2012 debut scoring a 2 1/2-length victory in the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 7. Alpha was ridden to victory by the reigning 2-time Eclipse Award winning jockey Ramon Dominguez (who also piloted Alpha during his win in the Count Fleet), and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

Alpha broke his maiden at first asking during his juvenile campaign. The colt was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. Alpha increased his lifetime earnings to $300,000.

Darley Stable's Crossbow returned to the winner's circle Friday with a convincing 3-length victory in a 6-furlong allowance race at Aqueduct over the inner track, a contest where he was never threatened. The 4-year-old colt last won early during his sophomore campaign.

Crossbow is by Bernardini, and is out of the multiple graded stakes winning mare Forest Heiress, and is a half-brother to stakes placed Forest Prince. Crossbow's two previous victories were in sprints (at 6 and 7 furlongs). Kiaran McLaughlin trains the colt who was bred by Stonerside Stable. Ramon Dominguez was in the irons for the victory. Crossbow was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones, and increased his lifetime bankroll to $116,476 with the win.

Emcee was clearly dominant in his victory Friday at Gulfstream Park, drawing away to win a 7-furlong allowance race by 6-lengths. The son of multiple Grade 1 winner Unbridled's Song is a half-brother to stakes placed Spring Party. Emcee was coming off a 143 day layoff. The dark bay colt last worked on Jan. 27 breezing a half-mile in 48 2/5 seconds at Palm Meadows. Emcee did win his debut during his sophomore campaign, a 6-furlong maiden special weight race at Belmont Park on Sept. 14, and like Alpha and Crossbow, Emcee is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Emcee's bankroll now stands at $55,500.