By Dick Downey

Kinglet, a Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo, won the Group 3 U.A.E. 2000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

A surge in the last 100 yards got Kinglet up for the win under Mickael Barzalona after being positioned eighth of nine turning for home. While Kinglet came from the outside, Mickdaam (IRE) went up the rail to finish second, beaten a fourth of a length, and Mehdi (IRE) was third after surrending the lead, beaten a length overall. Surfer, another Kentucky-bred, was a close fourth.

The winning time was 1:37.72.

Trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, Kinglet most recently had finished second by a half-length to Dark Matter in the seven-furlong Trial at Meydan on Jan. 12.

Al Zarooni was non-commital about plans for Kinglet after the race, saying "he looked tired." There was no mention of the Kentucky Derby, and the Group 2 U.A.E Derby would be considered, Al Zarooni said.

Kinglet is owned by Godolphin Stable and was bred by Darley. He's out of the War Chant mare Karen's Caper.

The 2000 Guineas was Kinglet's third win in six starts. He's never finished off the board.

The 3-2 favorite, Kinglet paid $5.00 to win and $2.80 to show.

Morning line favorite Dark Matter, the only Southern Hemisphere-bred in the race, finished off the board, as did Rassam, a Godolphin horse ridden by Frankie Dettori at 9-5 odds. He wasn't in contention until the end of the race; and he didn't threaten for the win.