The Dubai International Racing Carnival comes to a close Thursday evening at
Nad al Sheba with the Super Thursday program, a prelude to Dubai World Cup night
at the same course on March 28. There will be a number of runners familiar to
American racing fans spread throughout the program as final declarations for the
seven Thoroughbred events were announced Tuesday. In chronological order, the
races are as follows:
The $250,000 Al Bastakiya for three-year-olds, the final prep for the U.A.E.
Derby (UAE-G2), will be contested over 1,800 meters (about nine furlongs). JOSE ADAN (Crypto Star), disqualified from first and placed second in last fall’s
Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3), will attempt to rebound from a poor showing
in a February 12 conditions event on the turf. His main challengers include
U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas heroine SO SHINY (Indygo Shiner), fourth in the
U.A.E. Oaks last week, and Chilean St. Leger (Chi-G1) winner MEDICI (Sir Cat),
who will be making his local debut.
The $200,000 Mahab Al Shimaal (UAE-G3), a prep for the Dubai Golden Shaheen
(UAE-G1), features Grade 2 winner GAYEGO (Gilded Time), last seen taking a
November 30 allowance/optional claimer at Hollywood Park; Grade 2 hero
DIABOLICAL (Artax), a narrowly beaten second in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf
Sprint went last seen; and the Grade 1-placed BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic),
a well-beaten ninth in the Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3) on January 22 in his
first local appearance. BIG CITY MAN (Northern Afleet), a dual stakes winner as
a juvenile at Calder back in 2007, is another logical threat having won his
first two starts in Dubai, including the Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3). Like the Golden Shaheen, the Mahab Al Shimaal will be
run over 1,200 meters (about six furlongs).
The $200,000 Burj Nahaar (UAE-G3), a stepping stone to the Godolphin Mile
(UAE-G2) over 1,600 meters features last year’s U.A.E. Derby winner HONOUR DEVIL
(Honour and Glory), a distant third in a February 19 conditions event in his
only interim start for trainer Mike de Kock; Grade 3 winner SUMMER DOLDRUMS
(Street Cry [Ire]); PASCAL (Menifee), victor of the Allied Forces S. at Belmont
on September 13; RACECAR RHAPSODY (Tale of the Cat), fourth in the last year’s
Preakness S. (G1) prior to filling the same position in the Russian Derby at
Moscow; and STUBBS ART (Hawk Wing), most notably third last spring in the Two
Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) behind Henrythenavigator and New Approach.
The $250,000 Dubai City of Gold (UAE-G2), a prelude to the Dubai Golden
Shaheen (UAE-G1), will be run over 2,400 meters on the turf (about 1 1/2 miles).
Among the field of 20, which includes four reserves, are German highweight QUIJANO (Ger) (Acatenango), twice Grade 1-placed in Canada; MOURILYAN (Ire)
(Desert Prince [Ire]), runner-up in this event last year; PURPLE MOON (Galileo
[Ire]), runner-up in the 2007 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) and 2008 Hong Kong Vase
(HK-G1); Hardwicke S. (Eng-G2) winner MACARTHUR (Montjeu [Ire]); Irish Group 2
hero KING OF ROME (Montjeu [Ire]); and South African-based FRONT HOUSE (Sadler’s
Wells), twice Group 3-placed already during the Carnival for de Kock.
The $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-G2) over 2,000 meters (about 1
1/4 miles) should feature several potential Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) entrants. MUHANNAK (Ire) (Chester House), upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Marathon at
Santa Anita, will square off against Group 2 winner ASIATIC BOY (Not for Sale),
runner-up behind Curlin in the 2008 World Cup and third in a Group 3 prep on
February 5. Other former American mainstays are Iowa Derby victor and Jim Dandy
S. (G2) third TIZ NOW TIZ THEN (Tiznow), and multiple stakes winner MERCHANT
MARINE (Tiznow), fourth in the Sport Page H. (G3) and third in the Jockey Club
Gold Cup (G1) in his last two.
Potential candidates for the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) will line up in the
final race on the card, the $250,000 Jebel Hatta (UAE-G2) at 1,777 meters on the
turf (slightly less than nine furlongs). VODKA (Tanino Gimlet), 2008 Horse of
the Year in Japan, was most recently third in the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) and the
hope perhaps is that a prep will serve her better heading into the Dubai Duty
Free, a race she finished fourth in last year without the benefit of a race over
the course. JAY PEG (Camden Park), the Dubai Duty Free winner a year ago, was a
distant fourth last out in his first race since May, while Kelso H. (G2) winner
TAM LIN (GB) (Selkirk) will also try to rebound off of a dull showing last week
in his first start of the Carnival. THIRD SET (Royal Applause [GB]); BALIUS (Mujahid),
RUSSIAN SAGE (Jallad) and VERTIGINEUX (Nombre Premier) also bring solid group
form to the table.