Behavioral Bias, acquired three years ago to continue racing abroad, nearly landed his first triumph abroad when placing a smart 2nd in the Dec. 3rd Listed Garhoud Sprint Sponsored by DP World UAE Region at Meydan Racecourse.

The co-featured six-furlong sprint, won with an eye-opening late rally by fellow US-bred Important Mission, was Behavioral Bias' first outing at Meydan since February. The six-year-old has always run well fresh and left several clues on the night that this season, his third in Dubai following an admirable stateside career, may be his most productive there to date.

More relaxed on his way postward than in past starts under the lights at Meydan, the veteran settled nicely under Pat Cosgrave and drafted comfortably in behind the pacesetters. Angled out in mid-stretch, Behavioral Bias hit the front late only to be overtaken inside the final 200 yards by a flyin Important Mission, who won clear by a length and a quarter. Behavioral Bias was easily second-best under Cosgrave ahead of stablemate Bochart.

Trainer Satish Sanan and the team at Zabeel Stables are banking a third season abroad will prove the charm for Behavioral Bias and see him recapture the form which earned him a loyal stateside following. There surely have been glimpses, from a third-place debut for his new connections in the 2018 Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile and 2nd to the very smart Midnight Storm earlier this year at Meydan before the season's premature conclusion. On appearances, Behavioral Bias took full advantage of the early summer recess and physically looks as well at anytime since his arrival from Kentucky.

The son of Preakness and Met Mile winner Shackleford was expertly handled in America under trainer Al Stall, primarily racing on the Kentucky circuit from ages two through four. Prior to heading abroad, he was runner-up to to the high-class McCraken on the 2018 Derby Day undercard at Churchill Downs and later in Saratoga to subsequent Gr1 winner No Dozing. Behavioral Bias races now for Marwan Abdul Rahman Mohd Sharif Al Baidhaei.

Behavioral Bias earlier this year at Zabeel Racing Stables in Dubai. Shamela Hanley photo.