It's World Cup week! On Saturday, the UAE racing season will close with World Cup. Post positions for the race won't be drawn until Weds, so that preview will be on Friday. For now though, I'm going to go through the rest of the Thoroughbred races (1 Arabian race leads off the card).
Godolphin Mile: No US based horses in here, however there are 2 names that familar to American fans. 2 time Pacific Classic winner Richard's Kid and Barbecue Eddie who is G1 placed in California. Viscount Nelson has 1 US start under his belt, but that came on the grass this past Belmont day, and Western Aristocrat who won the Jamiaca is in here as well.
Dubai Gold Cup: This is a new race this year for distance turf horses at about 2 miles. Again there are no US based horses here, but Joshua Tree was runner up in last year's CAN Invitational. Unusual Suspect is the name most known to Americans because of his time in California. He is now rep. Australia, but will be ridden by Corey Nakatani who does have a win on him (but his Dubai record is not good, last time finishing last on another great Cal Bred, Lava Man).
UAE Derby: Lucky Chappy will be flying the Red, White and Blue in this race which is the longest KY Derby prep, but he's prob. the only horse who is shooting for that race. 2 horses Balada Sale and Helmet are Southern Hemisphere 3yo's, so they are ineligible for the TC in Northern Hemisphere. Daddy Long Legs and Wrote have US starts under them (the latter won the BC Juvenile Turf), and Maritimer was Derby bound possibly before being sold. Kinglet's dam is Karen's Caper who did quite well on the turf and Red Duke's siblings relish longer distances, but his sire didn't win past a mile and an eighth.
Al Quoz Sprint: BC Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready is in here, but his first two races so far not that great. It could be a big day for females (both horse and human) and there are two in here who have a chance. Invisible Ash who defeated Regally Ready in his last race and Margot Did who has Haley Turner (England's best female jockey) on board.
Golden Shaheen: Last year, this was the only top 3 finish for America (Euroears 2nd). The defending champ Rocket Man is back and other then a few bad finishes has not lost a step. Golden Slipper winner Sepoy is the only SH 3yo in the race, and is making his main track debut. The US is repasented by Vosburgh winner Giant Ryan and The Factor who might not be as good on synth as he is on dirt. However, this might be a race where his talent might be enough for him to win.
Duty Free: Await the Dawn and Wigmore Hall both of starts in the US. Dubawi Gold chased Frankel in three starts last year, failing to catch the undefeated champion. California Memory has been solid in Hong Kong. Delagator has the unfortance of running behind Sea the Stars, Dream Ahead, Goldikova and Strong Suit.
Sheema: Treasure Beach won the Secretariat last August and ran in the Arc. Cirrcus Des Aigles defeated So You Think at Ascot. Mahbooba ran against Miss Keller in Canada last year. Of course St. Nicholas Abbey and his young jockey where the feel good story of last year's BC. Now Joseph O'Brien will try to add another imporant race to what is expected to be a shortened career due to his height and weight.
Get well wishes for Bob Baffert who suffered a possible heart attack in Dubai where was getting The Factor and Game on Dude ready for their races on Saturday. Looks like he will be Dubai 8-10 days before returning to the States.
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