A total of 159 horses representing 13 different countries have been nominated
at the first stage for the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), which is set for
March 25 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
American horses have been successful in five of the 10 runnings of the
2000-meter event and 42 horses from the United States have been entered for this
year’s edition, including Travers S. (G1) winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
runner-up FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor); MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) and
SUAVE (A.P. Indy), first and second, respectively, in the Clark H. (G2); WILKO
(Awesome Again), winner of the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1); and blue-collar
LORD OF THE GAME (Saint Ballado), a Grade 2 winner last season.
Trainer Richard Mandella, responsible for 2004 World Cup hero, Pleasantly Perfect, has entered
four horses, led by Grade 2 hero CONGRATS (A.P. Indy), who finished fifth in last year’s
World Cup.
Also prominent among the nominees are Japanese Horse of the Year and Triple
Crown winner DEEP IMPACT
(Sunday Silence); HEART’S CRY (Sunday Silence), runner-up in the Japan Cup
(Jpn-G1) and conqueror of Deep Impact in
the recent Arima Kinen S. (Jpn-G1); and Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) winner KANE HEKILI (Fuji
Kiseki).
GREY SWALLOW (Ire) (Daylami [Ire]), the 2004 Irish Derby (Ire-G1) winner, is
possible for the race, as is Godolphin’s CHERRY MIX (Linamix [Fr]) and South
Africa’s YARD-ARM (Western Winter).
DAVID JUNIOR (Pleasant Tap), upset winner of the Champion S. (Eng-G1), the
globetrotting ALEXANDER GOLDRUN (Gold Away [Ire]) and BADGE OF SILVER (Silver
Deputy) top the list for the $5 million Dubai Duty Free S. (UAE-G1). Super
mare OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), defending champion PHOENIX REACH (Ire)
(Alhaarth), Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) victor SHIROCCO (Ger) (Monsun) and Canadian
International S. (Can-G1) hero RELAXED GESTURE (Ire) (Indian Ridge [Ire]) are
among those nominated to the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1).
American dominance runs even deeper in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) and
some of the best sprinters are liable to line up this year. GAFF (Maria’s Mon),
the impressive winner of the Mr. Prospector H. (G3) in his most recent
appearance, could take a great deal of beating in a field which could also
include TROPICAL STAR (Ire) (Machiavellian) and BOTANICAL (Seeking the Gold),
second and third, respectively in last year’s running. The latter two each will
both make their seasonal debuts in Thursday’s Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3) at
Nad al Sheba.
GRAND EMPORIUM (SAf) (National Assembly), the 1 1/2-length winner of the
2005 Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) and a member of trainer Mike
de Kock’s formidable stable, is expected to go for a title defense this year.
In the UAE Derby (UAE-G2), last week’s impressive
conditions winner WELL ARMED (Tiznow), trained by Clive Brittain on behalf of
WinStar Farm, heads a list peppered with American-based sophomores. Also
nominated are BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold), CATCOMINATCHA (Tale of the Cat), DAWN
OF WAR (Catienus) and PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow). Among the entries for locally
based three-year-olds are Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up HENNY HUGHES
(Hennessy) and DISCREET CAT (Forestry), purchased privately by Godolphin off his
maiden win last year.