Dubai World Cup Night Looms

By Emily Shields

Eight Thoroughbred races and one Arabian race make Saturday’s card at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai one of the highlights of the year. The rich purses and international pagentry bolster the card into an unforgettable event annually, but it can be difficult to handicap without a read on the form lines of all the international contenders.

The first Thoroughbred stake is the Godolphin Mile (G2), which drew a field of 13. Dubawi son #6 Muntazah won the local prep here by 10 lengths and has won his last two starts by a combined 14 ¼ lengths. Todd Pletcher’s Coal Front will draw support; he has won two grade 3 races at Oaklawn and Gulfstream Park in his last two starts.

The Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) is a two-mile event for older horses. John Sadler has recent Santa Anita stakes winner Platinum Warrior ready to go, but Godolphin’s Cross Counter should go favored following a win in Australia’s historic Melbourne Cup (G1). The Frankel son Call the Wind, a French group 1 winner last out, has been well regarded all week.

The Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) is a dash on the grass. Peter Miller sends out Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint hero Stormy Liberal against Godolphin’s Blue Point, who has won two in a row here including a group 2 in February. Sands of Mali was a group 1 winner at Ascot in the fall.

The UAE Derby (G2) could produce a Kentucky Derby starter. Divine Image, a daughter of Scat Daddy, won twice here this year and tackles the boys in this. She faces a solid field that includes Walking Thunder and California shippers Stubbins and Gray Magician.

The Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) often has a strong American hand. Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Roy H, popular Imperial Hint, speedy X Y Jet, and Promises Fulfilled are the contingent from the United States.

The race drawing all the attention this year is the Dubai Turf (G1T) featuring Japanese superfilly Almond Eye. She faces fellow Japanese runner Vivlos, who won this race two years ago, and United Kingdom runners Century Dream, Without Parole, and I Can Fly. Dream Castle was a group 1 winner here three weeks ago.

The Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) has three Japanese runners – Suave Richard, Cheval Grand, and Rey De Oro, as well as Aidan O’Brien runners Magic Wand and Hunting Horn. Godolphin runner Old Persian was the local prep winner, and last year’s Canadian International winner Desert Encounter has had one prep under his belt. The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) rounds out the action. Defending champion Thunder Snow will face nemesis North America in the big dance. Those two will take the brunt of the wagering, but there is strong American representation from Audible, Gunnevera, Pavel, Seeking the Soul, and Yoshida.