Shadwell Stables’ Takaful battled with favored El Deal in the stretch before pulling away to win the G1 Vosburgh Stakes by a length at Belmont Park September 30.
It was the first Stakes victory for the three-year-old son of Bernardini, who earned an automatic berth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar, since the race is part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ series sponsored by the Breeders’ Cup.
Breaking alertly under jockey Jose Ortiz, Takaful sat just off the flank of heavily-favored El Deal, who set swift early fractions of 22.31 and 44.76 through the first half-mile.
As the horses hit the top of the stretch, Takaful moved alongside to challenge El Deal. The pair battled through the lane, with Takaful gamely digging in and putting his rival away to win by a length. Final time for the six furlongs was 1:09.69.
Bred in Kentucky by his owner, Takaful is out of Sablah, an unraced daughter of Distorted Humor. Sablah is a half-sister to Stakes winner Ghaamer (by Hard Spun), and hails from the family of Champion filly Shadayid and Graded Stakes winner Dumaani.
Bernardini is enjoying yet another successful season in 2017 with 11 black-type winners to date, including Graded Stakes winners Imperative, Le Bernardin, Watershed and Zanbagh in addition to Takaful.
