Well Armed: My Favorite Dubai World Cup Winner

With the DWC being next week, I wanted to feature a DWC winner. The question was, who would it be. It could have been the first DWC winner Cigar who is still beloved in the US, it could have been the ill fated Dubai Millennium or it could have been Victore Pisa who uplifted the nation of Japan just weeks after last year's devestrating earthquake and tsunami. Instead, I decided to go with a horse who was owned by one of my favorite Kentucky farms. He also happens to be my favorite DWC winner. Of course I'm talking about the final horse to win on convential dirt in Dubai, the Tiznow gelding Well Armed. Owned by WinStar Farm, he was sent to Dubai to run in UAE Derby to get ready for the European season. Unfortunately an injury at the beg. of the race cost him more then anyone had bargained for. That injury would turn out be life threatning, but with the help of co-owner Bill Casner and other employees, he was nursed back to health.

After a year of rehab, he was transferred to Eoin Harty in the US. Well Armed would go onto to finish second in the San Pasqual and win the San Antonio, before returning to Dubai to finish third behind Curlin. After some solid finishes including a runner up in the Pacific Classic, he would enter the BC Dirt Mile as the favorite. However, a poor ride by Aaron Gryder cost him the race, as he would lose to Albertus Maximus.

Still, Aaron was able to keep the mount on Well Armed. Together the next year they finished 4th and 2nd in the San Pasqual and the San Antonio. Still it was enough for a return trip to Dubai. This time there was no denying him as he lead gate to wire to win the final edition of the World Cup at Nad Al Sheba. In that race he was able defeat Gloria de Campio (who would win the DWC the next year), Asiatic Boy (who had had finished right in front of Well Armed the year before), Casino Drive (half brother to Jazil, the 2006 Belmont winner and 3/4 to Rags to Riches the 2007 Belmont winner) and more importantly turning the tables on Albertus Maximus.



Well Armed made one more start in his career, finishing last in the San Diego Handicap. Sadly injuries had caught up to him and he was retired. He currently lives on Bill Casner's farm in Texas. DRF did a wonderful article on Bill (who sold his portion of WinStar to Kenny Troutt who was the co-owner of the farm with him until 2010) last year and Well Armed is mentioned as the main horse in there.

How Time Flies

It just feels like yesterday that I started this blog, however next month (January 28 to be exact) is will be one year since I began my journey on this blog. And what a year it's been,

the up and down on the Triple Crown trail
Well Armed's Dubai World Cup win
Rachel Alexandra's amazing 20 length romp in the Oaks
Mine That Bird's 50-1 shocker in the Derby
The previously mentioned Rachel and MTB's heartstopping Preakness
Zenyatta's much anticpated 5yo debut
Summer Bird sweeping the "Big Three" NY G1's
Sea the Stars' Arc
Rachel's heartstopping Woodward
Rachel's Haskell
Zenyatta's amazing BC Classic win
Rule breaking his maiden and setting a track record
Ventura's very popular Matriach win
Unbridled Belle's Obeah and Turn Back the Alarm
Swift Temper's Delaware Handicap and Ruffian wins
Careless Jewel's amazing Alabama and Delaware Oaks wins
Icon Project's uber impressive Personal Ensign

There are many other races that I could put here, but that would take ages to compleate. One thing is for sure, this is a year that no one will forget.

So what to expect in 2010? I haven't decided yet, there maybe a road trip to an undisclosed location where there is a pretty well known track, but plans have not been written in stone yet. There might also be a trip to Pimlico to see the Preakness (TBD if I can convince a non horse racing friend of mine to come with me, then we are all set!). I'll have my favorite race of the year post up tomorrow, followed by on Friday with a preview of that night's Delta Jackpot which features my boy Rule.