Discreet Cat, Utopia updates.....

[my miss storm cat]

UAE press release.....
(no author listed)


Thor’s Echo, Discreet Cat, Utopia regaining strength
July 31, 2007


Discreet Cat could return to action at Belmont Park (copyright Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

Thor’s Echo, America’s 2006 champion sprinter who disappointed in two Dubai starts for Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum, appears to be rounding back into form since reunited with former trainer Doug O’Neill in Southern California.

A five-year-old gelded son of Swiss Yodeler, Thor’s Echo breezed five furlongs on Monday over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park in a speedy :59.40, the fastest workout of the day at the distance on the surface.

Thor’s Echo finished sixth in both the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1) and the Mahab al Shimaal (Gr.3) at Nad Al Sheba in his only two starts of 2007 to date.

In 2006, he finished second in the Dubai Golden Shaheen before rebounding to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Gr.1) and the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (Gr.1).

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Discreet Cat, who galloped on Monday at Saratoga Race Course, is showing signs that he is getting closer to a racetrack return.

But assistant trainer Rick Mettee said that while he is pleased with the colt’s progress following a throat infection detected after his unplaced finish in the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), the four-year-old son of Forestry is not likely to race during the Saratoga meet that extends through September 3.

“He’s doing really well. I’m really happy with him,” Mettee said. “He’s galloped the last four days over the track here; he really likes Saratoga. Right now, we’re looking forward to Belmont Park’s fall meet with him.”

The Dubai World Cup, won by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Invasor, marked the only defeat of Discreet Cat’s seven-race career.

Mettee also reported that Godolphin’s Utopia, winner of the 2006 Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) and the Westchester Handicap (Gr.3) in his only start so far in ’07, could be ready for some big races this fall after incurring leg and foot problems.

“He’s come to hand a little quicker than we thought he would and he’s been sharper than I expected. We’ve got options,” Mettee said, mentioning the US$500,000 Woodward Stakes (Gr.1) at nine furlongs on September 1 at Saratoga or the $150,000 Brooklyn Handicap (Gr.2) at nine furlongs on September 22 at Belmont.

A seven-year-old Japanese-bred son of Forty Niner, Utopia suffered a leg infection that kept him out of the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap (Gr.1) in May.