Four of the 14 entrants are coming off the Feb. 20 Saudi Derby on Saudi Cup Day – Japan's Pink Kamehameha, who sprang an upset in his dirt debut; third-placer New Treasure, an Irish Group 3 scorer who was also trying dirt for the first time; and the well-fancied Godolphin duo of Rebel's Romance and Soft Whisper, respectively fourth and fifth. All are stretching out from that metric mile to the about 1 3/16 miles of the UAE Derby.

Much more had been expected from Rebel's Romance and Soft Whisper in Saudi, and a return to Meydan could see both offspring of Dubawi bounce back to top form. The previously unbeaten Rebel's Romance had edged next-out UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) winner Mouheeb on this track. A U.S. Triple Crown nominee, Rebel's Romance bids to give trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick their first UAE Derby victory.

Godolphin colleague Saeed bin Suroor, who has won a record eight UAE Derby trophies, relies on Soft Whisper. The highly regarded filly brought a four-race winning streak to Saudi, capped by a seven-length romp in the UAE 1000 Guineas over Mnasek. If we see that Soft Whisper here, the boys could be in trouble. Note that bin Suroor is responsible for the only filly to win the UAE Derby so far, Khawlah (2011).

Mnasek herself has claims. The Doug Watson filly had no chance of catching Soft Whisper thanks to a slow start in the Guineas, but she roared back to outclass her foes by 6 ½ lengths in the UAE Oaks (G3) at this track and trip. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Empire Maker banked 50 points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1), if connections are inclined to supplement her. Like Soft Whisper, Mnasek gets a four-pound weight concession from the 3-year-old males. Adding to her appeal, both of Watson's past UAE Oaks winners went on to finish second in this race, Polar River (2016) and Rayya (2018).

Carded as the fifth of nine races on the Dubai World Cup program, the UAE Derby is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. (ET), and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com. Read more at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/japanese-american-shippers-tackle-talented-locals-in-uae-derby. – Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

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Most of the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup hopefuls completed maintenance works on Monday, but one of the American contenders-Jesus' Team (Tapiture), runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. on Jan. 23–galloped 1 1/2 circuits.

“We went to the track with him very early, because I want him to know the lights when we're going to run,” said trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo, who was the champion trainer in Venezuela in 2018. “It will be his first time running under the lights. Jesus did it perfectly. The horse is 100%. He loves Dubai, the weather, the water and the environment. I think he's ready with that last work at Palm Meadows over seven furlongs under his belt.”

Another horse representing the U.S. is Pegasus fourth and Saudi Cup fifth Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado), who completed a two-minute lick during the second training slot.

“He did a two-minute mile and finished the last half a mile very strongly,” said trainer Miguel Angel Silva. “He went beautifully. I really liked it. Today was the last day of working. From now on, we just wait for the big race.”

A third American horse that breezed on Monday was GIII Louisiana S. victor Title Ready (More Than Ready) for trainer Dallas Stewart. The Charles Fipke colourbearer worked 800 metres in company with G2 UAE Derby aspirant Ambivalent (Constitution) from the Doug O'Neill barn.

“We just wanted something easy in :49 or :50 seconds and that's what we got,” assistant trainer Marcelino Jacuinde said. “Pedro Velez was on him, who was here the last two times in Dubai and he rode him last week before we came here.

“I thought he went just the way we wanted. He was nice and easy. We'll walk him tomorrow and come back to the track the next couple days.”

Ambivalent pleased assistant trainer Leandro Mora ahead of a start in the $750,000 G2 UAE Derby. A son of Constitution for Reddam Racing, the Grade II-placed winner breezed 800 metres with Grade III winner Title Ready.

“He comes from a really hot stallion and he has been unlucky in quite a few races,” Mora said. “He's doing very well and we'll try to get the points to be in the Kentucky Derby in the USA. I think the 1900m distance is an advantage for him and will help him.”

Ambivalent will have plenty of competition in the Derby, with 2021 Saudi Derby hero Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) set to line up among others. Hideyuki Mori's work rider Masaki Takano was bullish on his horse, who cantered 1 1/2 laps on the dirt track on Monday morning.

“Everything about him let us know he is a very healthy horse and keeps good form,” said Takano.

Gosdens' Trio in Good Form

John and Thady Gosden's Saudi Cup and G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who is lining up for the $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on grass, is in good order ahead of Saturday's appearance. Out of quarantine, the younger Gosden was on hand to watch the 4-year-old colt canter around the training track with stablemates Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (G1 Dubai Turf) who won the G1 Prince of Wales's S. last year and Saudi Derby second New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (G2 UAE Derby).

“Mishriff has done well, he's happy and fresh,” said Thady Gosden. “He's obviously been to Saudi and back and taken the travelling well. He's a straightforward horse and, given he went from the cold at home to Saudi and then came back to the cold, he has taken it all very well.

“He's very versatile and obviously a mile and a half (2400m) will be different but it's a lovely galloping track at Meydan and Saturday will give us a pointer for the rest of the season.”

Of Lord North Gosden added, “He was fresh going around the track this morning, taking everything in, and seems to have travelled well. He came out last year when the meeting was cancelled due to Covid but he's been in similar form at home so we thought we'd bring him out.”

“He [New treasure] travelled over well and we'll take him out on the dirt track during the week,” added Gosden. “He ran well on his first start for us in Saudi Arabia and has earned his place in the UAE Derby.”

Sprinters Eye Desert Riches

Edward Bethell's Moss Gill (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is preparing for the $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint, cantered on the training track on Monday morning.

“I'm very happy with the way he's travelled,” said Bethell of his 2020 G1 Nunthorpe S. third. “We were all quite concerned because he's never been further than Lingfield in his life, so to come to Dubai was quite a challenge. He's taken it all in his stride. He's eating well now and he was very happy on the track this morning.

“He just did a very steady canter and he doesn't need an awful lot of work. He takes very little training just as long as he's fresh and happy and well. That's the main thing.”

Graham Motion trainee True Valour (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is another Al Quoz contender and worked three furlongs over the turf on Monday morning. Assistant trainer Cat McGee was on hand to observe the work. The 7-year-old was second last out in the GII Joe Hernandez S.

“He went in :38, between the cones which are set on the outside rail. He seemed to enjoy the turf. He did it within himself and he was feeling good after. I was hoping to take him on the turf again for a gallop maybe Thursday. But he will be going around the dirt track the other days.”

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NAISMITH (Medaglia d'Oro) will lace them up for the first time for MyRacehorse and Hall of Famer Richard Mandella. The half-brother to GISW and young Darby Dan stallion Klimt (Quality Road) and GSP West Coast Chick (Malibu Moon) was a $385,000 KEENOV weanling and $150,000 OBS July 2-year-old.

The rail-drawn Epidemic (Orb) has some bullets in the holster for his unveiling as well. Ryan Hanson trains the half-brother to millionaire Stanford (Malibu Moon), who most recently brought $165,000 as an OBS March 2-year-old.

A very strong third in his lone prior attempt on grass in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. Sept. 7, the maiden of six starts Ambivalent (Constitution) gets some major class relief. He makes his first attempt since finishing a well-beaten third in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 15.

TJCIS PPs

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Runner-up on debut and in the GI Del Mar Futurity to the talented Dr Schivel (Violence), the chestnut was never truly dangerous when third in the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita Sept. 20. He was more workmanlike than spectacular in graduating by a mile here 13 days ago, but is nevertheless the one they’ll have to beat.

Weston (Hit It a Bomb) is the only member of the Bob Hope sextet with a graded victory to his credit, having earned a neck success in the GII Best Pal S. Aug. 8 prior to a third in the Futurity, where Spielberg was 3 3/4 lengths ahead of him.

Ambivalent (Constitution) enters the Bob Hope a five-time maiden, though he did cross the line third in the Best Pal, only to be disqualified to fourth. A close third in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. Sept. 7, he turns back off a distant sixth to Jackie’s Warrior (Maclean’s Music) in the GI Champagne S. over a mile Oct. 10.

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Roderick crushed a trio of rivals on debut for trainer Wesley Ward on Long Island June 21, including runner-up Zippy Baby (Cairo Prince), who returned to graduate next out at Saratoga.

Purchased by Breeze Easy for $550,000 as a KEESEP yearling, Roderick is a full-brother to GIII Southwest S. winner One Liner and hails from the same female family as Grade I winners Albertus Maximus (Albert the Great) and Daredevil (More Than Ready).

Highly regarded maiden Ambivalent (Constitution), a $550,000 OBSMAR graduate, looks to go one better following a strong second-place finish on debut behind wire-to-wire winner Weston (Hit It a Bomb) going 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita June 21 (Second Chances).

Santa Anita debut winner Herd Immunity (Union Rags) is the lone runner in the field with stakes experience, entering off a well-beaten third in Churchill’s GIII Bashford Manor S. June 27.

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After kicking off his career with a promising runner-up effort at Santa Anita last month, the highly regarded 2-year-old Ambivalent (Constitution) will look to go one better at the upcoming Del Mar meeting.

“Being a son of Constitution, which is just a huge feather in your cap, he’s a horse that we’ve been excited about from day one,” two-time GI Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill said.

Purchased for $550,000 by Reddam Racing at OBS March after gliding through a quarter in :20 4/5 from the Wavertree Stables consignment, the long-striding dark bay was sent off as the 2-1 second choice in his unveiling going 4 1/2 furlongs June 21 (video).

Outfooted in fourth in the early stages, Ambivalent traveled nicely on the inside behind the top three approaching the quarter pole. Kept along the fence by Mario Gutierrez as the front-running Weston (Hit It a Bomb) left the rail open as they straightened, Ambivalent continued on nicely while scraping the paint down the lane and reported home 1 1/4 lengths adrift the sharp pacesetter.

“He acts like the longer, the better,” O’Neill said. “He didn’t have the cleanest of trips in his debut, and going 4 1/2, it’s hard to win if you don’t have a real good, clean trip. I thought he ran dynamite. The goal is July 18–it’s the second straight maiden at Del Mar going 5 1/2, so he’ll have an extra furlong to navigate, which should benefit him.”

Bred in Kentucky by J. Stephen McDonald, Ambivalent was a $95,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Red Wings prior to bringing the second-highest price for a colt in Ocala this March. He was produced by a Smart Strike-winning daughter of MGSW Roshani (Fantastic Light).

Ambivalent returned to the worktab with an easy three-furlong breeze in :36.40 (2/5) in Arcadia July 1.

“He’s doing really well,” O’Neill concluded. “We just put a little easy breeze into him and he’s down at Del Mar now. We’re hoping to breeze him this Friday, that’s the game plan. He came out of his debut in good shape. Like all these athletes, you just got to keep them injury free. The sky’s the limit with this guy. He’s got a real bright future.”

Previous standouts featured in ‘Second Chances’ include: GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Royal Ascot G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), MGISW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. runner-up Candy Tycoon (Twirling Candy).

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2nd-BEL, $64K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:50 p.m.

Wesley Ward has a pair of Keeneland-based juveniles entered in this spot. Breeze Easy’s Roderick (Into Mischief) was a $550,000 KEESEP yearling and is a full-brother to two-turn GSW One Liner. He hails from the extended female family of highest-level winners Albertus Maximus, Daredevil and King Charlemagne. Roderick’s stablemate Copley (Air Force Blue) is from a Ned Evans family that includes the likes of Grade I winners Swagger Jack and Malibu Prayer. Winfromwithin (Into Mischief), just a $100,000 September yearling, was produced by a half-sister to turf MGSW and MGISP Shakis (Ire) (Machiavellian). Zebra Cake (Runhappy), yet another September buy ($200,000), is out of a half to GSW Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) and SW and MGISP juvenile Beautician (Dehere). Further down the page is talented GII Black-Eyed Susan S. winner Red Ruby (Tiznow). Peter Vegso homebred Berhanu (The Factor) is out of a debut and stakes-winning full-sister to GSW juvneile Aegean (Northern Afleet). TJCIS PPs

3rd-SA, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, 4:30 p.m.

Doug O’Neill-trained Ambivalent (Constitution) was a $95,000 KEESEP yearling turned $550,000 OBS March juvenile–the fourth-highest price paid at that auction–off a powerful :20 4/5 breeze. The Reddam Racing colorbearer is a grandson of MGSW turfer Roshani (Fantastic Light). TJCIS PPs

11th-SA, $50K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 8:33 p.m.

Bob Baffert will saddle a pair of well-bred fillies here. Newcomer Provocation (Into Mischief), a $350,000 OBS April pick-up last year (:20 3/5), is out of GISW Meadow Breeze (Meadowlake), making her a half to ‘TDN Rising Star‘ and turf GSW Magic Star (Scat Daddy) and GISP juvenile Royal Copy (Bodemeister). Meadow Breeze is half to GISW Overanalyze (Dixie Union), GISP Majesto (Tiznow) and GSP Mighty Monsoon (Forestry). Grand Farm Family’s Himiko (American Pharoah), a $1-million Fasig-Tipton November weanling, was eighth with some trouble when debuting in a turf sprint here May 16. She’s a half to the talented GISW and fellow Baffert pupil Bodemeister (Empire Maker). GSW and GISP dam Untouched Talent (Storm Cat), a $5,000,000 Fasig-Tipton November seller in 2012, is also responsible for MGISP Fascinating (Smart Strike). Himiko shares a second dam in MGSW Parade Queen (A.P. Indy) with last week’s GI Ogden Phipps S. heroine She’s a Julie (Elusive Quality).TJCIS PPs

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