TOP STORYLINES FOR 2025 DUBAI WORLD CUP: FOREVER YOUNG BIDS FOR HISTORIC DOUBLE spr.ly/6012Fns0A
Forever Young odds-on to add Dubai World Cup
🕒 Apr 4, 2025
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Forever Young edges Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) anchors a quartet of Breeders' Cup Challenge races at Meydan Saturday, and earlier on the card, the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby concludes with the $1 million UAE Derby (G2).
Japanese star Forever Young is the odds-on favorite to add the Dubai World Cup to his resume. The about 1 1/4-mile test serves as a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Forever Young already locked up his Classic spot by taking the Saudi Cup (G1) last time out. His rivals include a quintet of U.S. shippers led by Rattle N Roll and Hit Show.
Hong Kong supremo Romantic Warrior, just denied by Forever Young when trying dirt in the Saudi Cup, is a similarly overwhelming favorite in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1). A "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), the 1,800-meter Dubai Turf is roughly a furlong longer.
Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero Rebel's Romance will try to earn a return ticket to Del Mar while defending his title in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). But the Godolphin globetrotter must overcome the younger favorite, Calandagan, in the about 1 1/2-mile affair.
Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) champion Straight No Chaser aims to dethrone local standout Tuz in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at about six furlongs. The Golden Shaheen offers a berth in this year's Sprint, but Straight No Chaser is already in, thanks to his recent victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2).
Gotham (G3) winner Flood Zone is favored in the about 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby, worth points on the 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers. Its result will determine who gets the two Kentucky Derby (G1) invitations reserved for the Euro/Mideast Road.
The $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on turf features a competitive cast including Believing, West Acre, and Graham Motion's Isivunguvungu, while Raging Torrent and Mufasa head the market in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) on dirt. The Thoroughbred action kicks off in the second race, the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2), over two metric miles on turf.
More coverage on TwinSpires.com Edge
Top storylines for 2025 Dubai World Cup: Forever Young bids for historic double
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