Ishizaka: Gentildonna's better than last year

"The plan was for him to go a bit slower this morning but

he had other ideas!" Barande-Barbe said. "He is getting better every day out

here and is so well this morning that I wish the race was tonight. My heart is

full of joy."

Hong Kong representative Dominant hopes to upset the apple cart.

"He's in terrific order," trainer John Moore said. "He probably

traveled the best of my three (including Group 1 Dubai World Cup contender

Military Attack and Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen runner Sterling City). The wide gate is maybe a concern but he will be

taken back anyway. I'm told the pace should be OK, so I hope that gives him a

chance to finish off strongly like when he won the Hong Kong Vase in December."

Trainer Mike de Kock is optimistic about Mars, a new recruit who hasn't quite

stepped up to the plate this Carnival.

"We have a nice low draw and he is

better than he has shown in his two starts this year," de Kock said. "The blinkers were probably

a mistake last time. I think he has a big run in him on Saturday."

Twilight Eclipse, the American hope in the Sheema Classic, stayed in the

quarantine area Friday morning and did some light jogging the day before he

faces his biggest test.

A win or otherwise strong performance by the five-year-old gelded son

of Purim would put owners West Point Thoroughbreds in a whole new stratosphere.

The U.S.-based syndicate has had its share of graded stakes wins America, but

nothing on the level of a race such as this.

"As much as you can think it would mean -- it would probably

mean a little more than that," said West Point President Terry Finley, who heads

a group of more than two dozen partners and family members from all over the

United States on hand for Saturday's big race. "They're all excited to be here

and are having a great time. It's good to be part of what could be a once in a

lifetime experience.

"One of the things we've talked about from a strategy standpoint is that it's

time for us to win one of the 'big ones' -- one of the (U.S.) Triple Crown

races, one of the other really big races like the

Travers, a Breeders' Cup race and/or a World Cup (card) race," he said.

"From a

strategy standpoint, (a win here) would really put us on another plane. It's not

an easy business to get a horse like this and the majority of the people I know

realize this and cherish the time they have with horse."

Although there are no American-based horses in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free,

two distaffers well known to U.S. fans -- champion turf female Dank and The

Fugue -- are taking on males in the about nine-furlong turf test.

Dank was restricted to light exercise on the turf track with regular work-rider Maria

Doe, having completed her preparation with a workout on Wednesday.

"It was just a quiet

stroll in the sunshine," trainer Sir Michael Stoute said. "Dank traveled here well but she's probably not at her

peak, because it's early in the season for her, but it's a very important race

and I'm expecting a good solid performance from her."

After Thursday's very early start under the floodlights, The Fugue

was back to a later start-time on Friday morning, and stretched out nicely in a

blow-out up the turf-track straight.

As he has all week, Duty Free entrant Trade Storm

exercised on his own and looked in rude health when completing a gentle stretch

over the all-weather track.

"He is happy in his own company, very comfortable with it," trainer David Simcock

said. "It's a tougher race than it was last year

(when Trade Storm finished fourth). There are two standout horses in The Fugue

and Just a Way, but I feel that the better the quality of race, the better it

will suit my horse. He likes to take a tow and come late."

De Kock has two Duty Free chances, unbeaten Vercingetorix as well as

Anaerobio.

"Anaerobio, realistically, has a bit to find but at least he has a good

draw," the trainer said.

"We will finally find out just how good Vercingetorix is;

he has won all six starts reasonably easily but never does more than he has to

-- just like his work in the morning when he is lazy. He is exciting, but the

draw could have been kinder."

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