Stidham registers first Godolphin win

Chicago-based Mike Stidham notched his first success for Godolphin when smart two-year-old Zunino ended up in the winner's circle after an eventful fourth race at Arlington Park on Sunday.

Zunino, making his racetrack debut, dead-heated with Crack On in the five-furlong two-year-old turf maiden, but was then awarded the race following a stretch-run objection fired in by jockey Mitchell Murrill.

Crack On, ridden by Julio Felix, had given Zunino a hefty bump in the closing stages, leading the stewards to rule in favour of the Godolphin runner.

Stidham, 58, who has been training for more than three decades, has taken charge of 11 Godolphin two-year-olds. He bases himself at Arlington in summer and Fair Grounds, Louisiana, in winter.

"We are delighted to get our first winner for Godolphin," Stidham said on his website. "We're humbled by the opportunity that they have given us with this team of well-bred and talented youngsters."

Stidham is the son of former jockey George Stidham, who became business manager and part-time agent to the legendary Bill Hartack, a five-times Kentucky Derby winner, who was Northern Dancer's jockey.