Once again it’s that time of the year in the spring when the “big day” racing focus comes early in the morning and many miles from us in the desert. It’s one of the very few times where we get “world class” racing action overseas and now have more of a “American” type flair to it. Today’s Dubai World Cup racing card has a new look for the first time in its history. A brand new synthetic race course opened in the city of Meydan for this year’s racing carnival. The new race course has been modeled after the American type racing ovals and also has installed the polytrack surface; Tapeta which was designed by trainer Michael Dickenson and also is featured at Presque Isle Downs in Erie Pennsylvania. This gives the racing in Dubai a new look this year and much like the Breeder’s Cup from the past two years at Santa Anita, has attracted many turf horse horses to the “main track” races.
The American contingent is strong as ever because of the new track, more than a dozen runners based in North America have gone to Dubai with many of them being the betting favorites. This along with the locally based runners who have had a chance to race over the Meydan surface during the racing carnival in January & February, we have a group of European runners making the yearly debuts for the multi-million dollar purses that make up the eight race card. This makes it an interesting wager card with possibly of giving the edge to the horses that have already raced over the course.
The first race of the card which is at six furlongs on the turf has many local runners in it, but the majority of them haven’t done well on the grass surface. This where an American shipper and favorite sticks out. Coming in from the states is the speedy west coast runner; California Flag who has a decided edge over this group of runners. The Godolphin Mile surprisingly has no North American runners in the race, but has one who did race in America last year. Desert Party returned off a long race layoff a few weeks back and scored an impressive victory over the course. This runner torn up the Dubai racing scene last winter before disappointing in the Kentucky Derby, he looks like the logical “one to beat” here.
The UAE Derby is just full of foreign bred runners (12 out of 14 entered) and most likely will NOT have an impact as a prep race for this year’s Kentucky Derby . But, this race will feature two very talented young runners. Mendip and Musir had shown a lot in their short careers and will go head to head for favoritism in this mile & three sixteenths event. The Golden Shaheen Sprint at six furlongs has a short field of only ten runners from all across the world. This year’s race will be contest going a turn sprinting for the first time, unlike past year’s six furlong “straight away” sprint. This race comes down between the well known Gayego and the Singapore flash; Rocket Man.
In the two grass races; we get full fields with an assortment of local runners, European shippers coming off layoffs and the North American stars. First in the Duty Free, sixteenth are entered going a mile and an eighth. Presvis may be the best horse entered, but gets hurt by the outside post in my opinion. I’ll be giving the slightest to the Bill Mott runner; Courageous Cat. He returned from his Breeder’s Cup Mile effort to win at Gulfstream last time out. Two longshot to consider here are; Alexandros and Bankable. In the Dubai Sheema Classic, American based runner; Precious Passion is very dangerous to take this field wire to wire with his blazing front running style. My longshot play of the card is a horse bred in Turkey and is at 30-1 on the morning line. Pan River has had two good races over the Meydan turf course and will offer great value. Others to consider are; Buena Vista from Japan and Eastern Anthem, who race won this race last and makes his seasonal debut.
In the ten million dollar Dubai World Cup, don’t take the favorite at a low price. That will be most likely be duel Eclipse award winning Gio Ponti at the morning line odds of 7-2. Even though I loved him last year, this time I’m going to try to beat with several other “pricey” horses. The local connections from Godolphin have only one runner entered in the World Cup and he has a 40-1 morning line odds. Mastery may not be good enough to win this race, but is a must use underneath in the exotic plays. I’ll be “boxing” him in my plays with Gio Ponti, Gitano Hernando and Red Desire.
Here are all my selections for the card......
2nd) California Flag #8 & Star Crowned #14 (exotic adds #3 & #16)
3rd) Desert Party #11 & Skysurfers #12 (exotic adds # 7 & #4)
4th) Mendip #5 & Musir #9 (exotic adds #7 & #3)
5th) Rocket Man #6 & Gayego #8 (exotic adds #10 & #5)
6th) Courageous Cat #5 & Alexandros #11 (exotic adds #8 & #15)
7th) Pan River #4 & Presious Passion #9 (exotic adds #2 & #10)
8th) Gitano Hernando #2 & Mastery #12 (exotic adds #4 & #3)
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