With Shared Belief and Honor Code dealing with various ailments Cairo Prince is emerging as perhaps the three-year-old to beat as the Triple Crown trails shifts into high gear. The colt’s resume is certainly strong on its own merits and was burnished even further with an emphatic score in the Holy Bull S. (G2) on January 25.
Cairo Prince is a son of Pioneerof The Nile, who many (including this writer) thought would win the 2009 Kentucky Derby right up until some horse named Mine That Bird stormed through on the inside en route to a 6 3/4-length win. As Mine That Bird is a gelding there are no little birdies flying around racetrack now. He is, however, the subject of the movie 50-1. Pioneerof The Nile has maintained his fame in a more conventional manner – as a stallion. Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and a son of the hot sire Empire Maker, he was well-received when he retired to Vinery Stud in 2010 (he’s now at WinStar Farm). Cairo Prince is among his 94 first-crop three-year-olds and he’s by far his best runner to date.
Cairo Prince appeared on the Classics radar last fall with a nice 2 1/2-length score in the Nashua S. (G2) on November 3. Twenty seven days later he ran hoof-to-hoof with Honor Code in the Remsen S. (G2) failing by just a nose.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has always shown a quiet, yet steady confidence in Cairo Prince and he had this to say after his charge ran away and hid from a solid Holy Bull field.
“We felt we had the best horse, and we’re marching on,” McLaughlin told Daily Racing Form. “He trains exceptionally well, and he’s got a great mind. A lot of times, you don’t get those two things in the same package.”
Cairo Prince’s pedigree is a tale of two sides. His male-line indicates he should run as long as races are carded. His grandsire, Empire Maker, won the 2003 Belmont Stakes and his grandsire, Unbridled, was victorious in the 1990 Kentucky Derby (and Breeders’ Cup Classic). His dam, though, has produced two other blacktype runners both precious sprinters who were better as juveniles. His full sister, Nonna Mia, placed in the Frizzette S. (G1) at two but won only an Allowance heat and placed in a minor Stake at three. Their half-brother, Holdin Bullets (by Ghostzapper, known for siring late developers) placed in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint but is currently competing against claiming company.
If his Holy Bull performance is any indication, Cairo Prince looks like he’s taking after his male lineage. And he’s being brought along by the most skilled of horsemen in McLaughlin. It would be no suprise if he were to avenge his sire and get the garland of roses draped over his withers on the first Saturday in May.
Matt O'Neil Consulting 