Trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup, and the charismatic Frankie Dettori, still riding at the peak of his powers into his early 50s, also with three World Cup trophies to his name. Each of those victories was achieved as the retained rider for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor, but the Italian maestro hadn't hoisted the hardware since Electrocutionist (Red Ransom) took the 2006 renewal at old Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

Flavien Prat was in the irons when Country Grammer (Tonalist), winner of last year's GI Hollywood Gold Cup, came home a gallant second to Emblem Road (Quality Road) in the Feb. 26 G1 Saudi Cup first off a May absence. With Prat committed to G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) and with other top-drawer riders having been snapped up, Baffert reached out to Dettori.

Strange bedfellows? Maybe so, but an effective combination it was, as Dettori gave the 5-year-old entire a positive ride and Country Grammer did the rest, running past a tiring 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) before holding off a resurgent Hot Rod Charlie to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) couldn't quite add an incredible sixth victory on the program for his country, but covered himself in glory once again, finishing third after filling the runner-up spot 12 months ago. Life Is Good failed to see out the trip after setting a strong early pace and settled for fourth.

The World Cup win was especially sweet for Amr Zedan, who has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows the Thoroughbred business can throw at an owner, all in the space of nine months. Having lost GI Kentucky Derby first-past-the-post Medina Spirit (Protonico) to a fatal incident last December, Zedan bought into Country Grammer with an eye on the 5-year-old's participation in the Saudi Cup in his homeland. On Saturday four weeks removed from the Saudi Cup and 600 miles of desert to the east in Dubai, all his emotions came to the surface.

“This win reminds me of Medina Spirit,” Zedan said. “He was a champion and these horses are all heart. I hope Medina Spirit is reinstalled as the Kentucky Derby winner, God willing. I can't believe I'm sitting here and my silks are here!”

An Inside Ride…

Heading into Saturday's race, the majority opinion was that if Life Is Good was to be stymied in adding the World Cup to the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup, it would be because he beat himself. Gate one was potentially a fly in the ointment, but the burly 4-year-old pinged the gates and was allowed to make the running from off the rail, with Saudi Cup third Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) his bay shadow. Hot Rod Charlie was momentarily closest to the dueling leaders, but Dettori had made a key decision from the start to be positive with Country Grammer, hustling him along before railing through underneath Hot Rod Charlie to sit the box-seat trip.

There were no significant changes in the plot as they raced down the Meydan backstretch, as Life Is Good looked to be bowling along comfortably, still in the two or three path and going apparently better than Midnight Bourbon. Country Grammer was shaken up a touch with about a half-mile to race so as not to lose touch, while Hot Rod Charlie hit a flat spot at the three-eighths and looked to have run his race.

Life Is Good turned them in with a touch more than 400 meters to race, having once and for all turned away Midnight Bourbon. But as they entered the final furlong, it was clear that the favorite was running on fumes and was there to be had. Back into the bit, Hot Rod Charlie made ominous headway up the fence to loom a danger, but Country Grammer–a bit one-paced in upper stretch–did the best work and was along in time. Chuwa Wizard, near the tail early on, slalomed his way home to cash another good check.

“When the draw came out, I had just wanted to put him on the fence,” said Dettori, who treated the many fans on hand to one of his patented flying dismounts. “At the half-mile, I wasn't able to keep on with the front two, but in the end they came back to me. At the furlong pole, it was surreal as I knew I was going to win. It's just unbelievable. It's like a dream!”

Dettori won his first World Cup in 2000 aboard Dubai Millennium (GB) (Seeking the Gold) and added the 2003 renewal aboard Moon Ballad (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}). He is now tied with Jerry Bailey for most World Cup wins by a jockey.

Longtime Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes oversaw Country Grammer's preparation into the World Cup, having also been along for the ride with Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) five years ago.

“It's been a long trip, Frankie just rode him awesome,” said Barnes. “He couldn't have done any better. The speed worked out just as we thought it would, he put him in a close enough spot that when he called upon him, he's a true mile-and-a-quarter horse and it kicked in.”

He added, “I give a lot of credit to Bob Baffert for his ability to come back and perform, it's what we do, we're great off a lay-off. I'm just so excited. This is my second with Bob and it is very, very special.”

Trainer Doug O'Neill suggested that some equipment changes might be in the offing for the runner-up.

“I think maybe blinkers might need to go back on–he broke okay, but then when he got behind horses, maybe that was it,” he said. “[Jockey] Flavien [Prat] said he took the kickback pretty well though, so we'll re-group and we'll give him plenty of time now and we'll huddle up and think of a game plan.”

Life Is Good's rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. put the defeat down to his mount's stamina.

“We led like we wanted. It was just the distance. The extra distance told,” he said.

The Finished Product…

A $60,000 Keeneland September graduate, Country Grammer fetched $450,000 as an OBS April breezer and would go on to win the GIII Peter Pan S. for Paul Pompa and Chad Brown in the summer of 2020. Following Pompa's sad passing late that year, Country Grammer changed hands for $110,000 at the dispersal of the owner's racing and breeding stock at Keeneland January in 2021, a number WinStar's Elliott Walden called 'surprising.' Second while racing handier to the pace than he had before in the GII Californian S., he stretched out nicely to 10 furlongs and struck from close up to take out the Hollywood Gold Cup before hitting the shelf. So well was he training that the decision was made to send him to Saudi without a prep and that approach has been richly rewarded.

Pedigree Notes:

Country Grammer's dam Arabian Song has a connection to the Emirates, as she was purchased by the Dubai-affiliated Rabbah Bloodstock for $40,000 at Keeneland September in 2009. Country Grammer is the fifth foal from the mare, who is also responsible for the 4-year-old filly Joyful Cadence (Runhappy), third in last year's GIII Miss Preakness S. and the three-length winner of a Mar. 20 Oaklawn allowance for owner William Simon's WSS Racing and trainer John Ortiz. Arabian Song was sold for $5,000 to Abdul Aziz Al-Ateeqi at Keeneland November in 2018 and foaled a filly in Saudi Arabia in 2019. Now named Gharz (KSA), she is twice placed from four starts at King Abdulaziz.

Country Grammer's third dam includes such Juddmonte standouts as GISW Etoile Montante (Miswaki); her MGSW daughter Starformer (Dynformer); recent GIII Hurricane Bertie S. winner Obligatory (Curlin); and MGSW Bonny South (Munnings).

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, Meydan, 3-26, 3yo/up, 10f, 2:04.97, fs.
1–COUNTRY GRAMMER, 126, h, 5, by Tonalist
                1st Dam: Arabian Song, by Forestry
                2nd Dam: Prima Centauri, by Distant View
                3rd Dam: Willstar, by Nureyev
($60,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR; $110,000
'21 KEEJAN). O-Zedan Racing Stables, WinStar Farm &
Commonwealth TBreds; B-Scott & Debbie Pierce (KY); T-Bob
Baffert; J-Frankie Dettori. $6,960,000. Lifetime Record:
GISW-US, 10-4-2-1, $10,851,685. *1/2 to Joyful Cadence
(Runhappy), GSP-US, $242,167. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Hot Rod Charlie, 126, c, 4, Oxbow–Indian Miss, by Indian
Charlie. ($17,000 Ylg '19 FTKFEB; $110,000 Ylg '19 FTKOCT).
O-Roadrunner, Boat Racing, Strauss & Gainesway; B-Edward A.
Cox (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. $2,400,000.
3–Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), 126, h, 7, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–
Chuwa Blossom (Jpn), by Durandal (Jpn). O-Shinobu Nakanishi;
B-Northern Racing (JPN); T-Ryuji Okubo. $1,200,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, SHD.
Also Ran: Life Is Good, Midnight Bourbon, Remorse (Ire), Hypothetical (Ire), Aero Trem (Brz), Real World (Ire), Magny Cours. Scratched: Grocer Jack (Ger).
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Country Grammer Schools Rivals in Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“I think part of it is the international competition aspect of it,” he offered. “I said this when Coal Front (Stay Thirsty) won the [G2 Godolphin] Mile [in 2019], it almost takes on an Olympic-type feel and when the announcer says, 'Coal Front is winning for the US,' it's a great feeling.”

Indeed, Saturday's 26th running of the 2000-metre event has attracted 10-furlong gallopers representing no fewer than five countries, including a quartet of runners from the United States that is topped by the outstanding 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief).

The $525,000 Keeneland September purchase has tasted defeat just once in his eight career trips to the races, a desperately unlucky second to champion Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the seven-furlong GI H. Allen Jerkens S. in August being his lone blemish. A victory Saturday makes him a top-level winner at eight (Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile), nine (Pegasus World Cup Invitational) and 10 furlongs, an accomplishment not many horses can boast of.

Pletcher said, “He's a remarkable horse in that there are a few horses that have that ability where, if you were looking at the Breeders' Cup card–if he were to run in the Sprint, he'd probably be favored, he could run in the Dirt Mile and be favored and if things go well from here, he could run in the Classic and be favored. He's just one of those horses that can go super fast and keep going. I don't think I've had one better than him.”

Pletcher admits that Saturday's trip is the great unknown, and while he said that connections are 'optimistic' the colt will continue to stretch out, there are many in the field with already proven form over the 10 furlongs. One of those is his compatriot Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), the GI Pennsylvania Derby winner who placed in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S. and shipped to Dubai early to swamp his rivals in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 going 100 metres shorter Feb. 5. He'll not be far away in the run and will attempt to outstay Life Is Good, whom he has yet to face.

Hot Rod Charlie knows Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) all too well, having beaten him in the Keystone State after causing the Steve Asmussen trainee to go to his knees in the GI Haskell Invitational S. six weeks prior. The latter arrived here from Saudi Arabia off a good third in the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 26, where he finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the second-placed Country Grammer (Tonalist), whose three starts for Bob Baffert includes a narrow success in the GI Hollywood Gold Cup. A win from him would give trainer Baffert a fourth World Cup, still well short of the nine won by trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The Rest of the World…

Four other countries are represented in this year's World Cup, including last year's second- and third-place finishers. Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) flies the Japanese flag and got the ideal prep for this when rolling home by four lengths in the Feb. 2 Listed Kawasaki Kinen, while the dirt-bred, French-based Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) is one of two in the race for Godolphin. He will need to return to last year's form to be any sort of a factor, having finished well down the field in Riyadh four weeks ago.

Among those based locally, Bin Suroor had an option for the G1 Dubai Turf with Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), but rolls the dice in the big race, despite a nil-for-five record on dirt. Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), by contrast, has won four of his nine starts on the main track, including an all-the-way defeat of Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday Mar. 5. The waters are considerably deeper on this particular Saturday.

Brazilian-bred, but Uruguay-based Aero Trem (Brz) (Shanghai Bobby), last year's winner of the G1 GP Latinoamericano over his home track at Maronas in Montevideo, covered himself in glory in his first start in these parts, running on well to fill fifth spot in the Saudi Cup. The slightly longer World Cup trip figures to suit him right down to the ground.

Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was withdrawn from the World Cup Thursday evening.

Japan Sets The Standard in Sheema Classic

by Heather Anderson

Japan has brought their largest team ever assembled for the $30.5-million 2022 Dubai World Cup night, and are aiming to add a Dubaian treasure chest to their international haul after their initial Breeders' Cup victories last autumn continued during the Longines Hong Kong International Races and culminated with sweeping four of the six group races on the lucrative $20-million G1 Saudi Cup undercard on Feb. 26.

The $6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410 metres on turf sees five of the 23-strong Japanese contingent signed on and sees the country attempt to take their fourth Sheema, after future Group 1 winners Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) were second, and third, respectively, in 2021. There is no shortage of quality, either, as three of the quintet are Group 1 winners.

Based on ratings, the dual G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase victor Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a full two pounds ahead of the remainder of the 15-horse field, and he will have every opportunity to improve his record, as he has been off since taking the Vase over G1 Coronation Cup scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) on Dec. 12. However, the 7-year-old entire, who leaves from stall six with Christophe Soumillon in the irons, does not bear the first colours of Silk Racing Co., Ltd, with that honour going to Authority (Jpn).

A son of the quirky dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Tromphe second Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), the 5-year-old is a triple Group 2 winner in his native land. He ran second in Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})'s 2021 G1 Japan Cup in November, with Sunday Racing's re-opposing 2021 G1 Japanese Derby scorer Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) third that day. Sent to Riyadh for Saudi Cup Day, the bay didn't disappoint, running out a 1 1/4-length winner over German Group 2 scorer Kaspar (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}) in the G3 Neom Turf Cup going 2100 metres on Feb. 26 and Christophe Lemaire is at the controls from gate 10.

“This is tough compared to Saudi Arabia but I am honoured to compete against so many trainers that I admire,” said Authority's trainer Tetsuya Kimura.

William Muir trainee Pyledriver was a distant 11th in that contest after racing wide without cover for much of the running. Pyledriver's regular pilot Martin Dwyer is on the injured list, so the La Pyle Partnership has opted for three-time Sheema Classic-winning reinsman Frankie Dettori.

Yet another Japanese Classic winner lining up in the Sheema is Thoroughbred Club Ruffian Co. Ltd.'s 2021 G1 Japanese Oaks heroine Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). The quintet of challengers is completed by the dual Japanese Classic-placed Stella Veloce (Jpn), a son of the 2005 Arc winner Bago (Fr), for owner Tsuyoshi Ono.

Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Turf scorer Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is an admittedly tough customer, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. However, if the chestnut brings his A-game, he poses the greatest threat to a Japanese processional. American champion turf male for 2021, he captured the Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. at Belmont Park in September prior to his Breeders' Cup heroics at Del Mar, where he was overeager and under a tight hold through the early stages of the race while well back in the pack, before swooping past the field in dramatic fashion to win by a measured half-length under William Buick. Buick remains aboard the chestnut who breaks from stall 12.

“The biggest danger to Yibir is himself,” said the British champion trainer. “He could pull like a train and do everything the wrong away round, or he could do what he did in America, when he pulled but they went a good gallop and he still won. It's credit to the horse and to William that they won the race.”

G3 Winter Derby victor Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) makes his first foray to Meydan, and he is one of two in the race for trainer William Haggas. Second to 2021 Sheema Classic winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Juddmonte International S., the 4-year-old is joined by Group 2 winner Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), who was runner-up in the G1 Champion S. in October. The last-named gelding is another to finish behind Loves Only You in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

“It's a strong race but he's a nice horse,” the trainer said of Alenquer. “He surprised me in the Classic Trial at Sandown when defeating a very strong field, but he's gone on to win easily at Royal Ascot and finish second in the International S. at York.

“He's gone from strength to strength, winning two Group 2 races in France and finishing second in the Champion S.,” Haggas continued. “It's his first time over a mile and a half and I'm not sure about the ground for him. He needs cut in the ground, but he did run a very solid race in December at Sha Tin. He was fourth and finished good in a strong race so we'll see.”

Owen Burrows sends out Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the blue and white silks of Shadwell. He is fresh off of a gritty win over Simon Crisford's Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai City of Gold on Super Saturday.

Defending Champ Lord North Faces Stiff Challenge

By Bob Nastanovich

Originally known as the Dubai Duty Free from 1996 to 2014, the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf has a distinguished roll of former winners, including foreign invaders like French-based globetrotters Jim and Tonic (Fr) (Double Bed {Fr} and Solow  (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in 2001 and 2015 respectively, Zimbabwean superstar mare Ipi Tombe (Zim) (Manshood {GB}) in 2003 and the legendary Japanese mare Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in 2019.

Unquestionably, strength in depth and international flare is a profound aspect of this year's field of 15. Last year's winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by John and Thady Gosden, has only raced once since his 2021 triumph here mainly due to a throat infection. Prepping for this engagement, he ran an encouraging second behind the William Haggas-trained Alenquer (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), a fancied runner in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, in Lingfield Park's G3 Winter Derby S. on Feb. 26.

Haggas has tapped the 4-year-old colt Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the 5-year-old gelding My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for the Dubai Turf. Mohaafeth will welcome the turn back in distance after tiring when fourth in his last race, the G1 Juddmonte International. Earlier this week, Haggas spoke candidly about Mohaafeth's biggest change leading up to his 2022 debut. He said, “When he was purchased, he was a rig– meaning they only have one descended testicle–and we didn't think in his last races he was running as well as he possibly should have. We investigated and decided to take it out. He's got one less excuse now.”

Perhaps the horse to beat is the lightly raced Japanese star miler Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), a Takahisu Tezuka trainee ridden by the 'now jockey' on the international stage Christophe Lemaire, who was victorious in four races on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard. Under Lemaire, Schnell Meister, a talented and reliable colt, led home a memorable 1-2-3 for his powerful owners Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. in last May's G1 NHK Mile Cup in Tokyo.

Dr. Schivel Looks To Strike Gold in Shaheen

The U.S. contingent of sprinters offers strong representation in Saturday's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, led by the early favorite Dr. Schivel (Violence). Victorious in the GI Del Mar Futurity at two, the colt returned at three to add a win in the GI Bing Crosby S. at that seaside venue before adding a score in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship at Santa Anita in October. Well supported in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint the following month, he was caught late by Aloha West and had to settle for second. Given one more try before wrapping up for the season, he encountered his share of difficulties during the course of the Dec. 26 GI Runhappy Malibu S., finishing a well-beaten seventh. In his latest work at Santa Anita before departing his California base, Dr. Schivel completed five furlongs in a bullet :58 3/5 (1/44) Mar. 12.

“He's a real laid-back horse, he takes everything in his stride,” said California-based trainer Mark Glatt. “He's all class. You never know how a horse might ship, especially this far. He seems to have made it very well. He bounced right over the track in his gallop this morning, he had a really nice workout.”

Drawn in post 9, the bay will be rejoined by Flavien Prat, aboard for his two Grade I wins.

“Depending upon what they are doing on the front end, our rider…will be able to choose what he wants to do,” said Glatt. “He will be able to see the majority of the field in the early stages. Our horse has gone wire-to-wire in the past and also come from four or five lengths out of it. We trust Flavien. He's ridden the horse magnificently every time and we expect he will make the right decisions.”

Also representing Team USA is another Grade I winner, Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music). The winner of last year's GIII Swale S. and GIII Bay Shore S., he recorded his most important win to date in the June 5 GI Woody Stephens S., besting subsequent Eclipse champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the process. In his sole start this season, he finished a neck back in second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Feb. 19.

Riding a two-race win streak, Meraas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) has shown a distinct preference for the venue and the surface. An easy 4 3/4-length winner going six furlongs at Meydan Dec. 23, the gelding had to work harder in his latest but was still good enough to finish on top in the Feb. 11 G3 Al Shindagha Sprint.

Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), runner up in this race in 2021, will try to go one better this season. Winner of the valuable JBC Sprint at Kanazawa in November, the 6-year-old kicked off this season with a sixth as the favourite behind Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) in the G1 February S. at Tokyo Feb. 20.

Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has proven uninspiring in most of last season, but turned things around to win while dropping back to six furlongs for the first time to cause a major upset in the Mar. 5 G3 Mahab Al Shimaal.

Godolphin Well Represented in Al Quoz

Godolphin sends postward a quartet of runners for this year's renewal of the $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint, headed by the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Man of Promise (Into Mischief), undefeated in a pair of starts this season, and Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Three for five at Meydan, the former comes into the race riding a two-race win streak, including an eyecatching, 4 3/4-length victory in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at this venue Mar. 5. He will be ridden by William Buick, aboard for all four of his lifetime wins. His Irish-bred stablemate makes his 2022 debut following a victory in Ascot's G1 British Champions Sprint S. in October. In 2021, the chestnut also won the G3 Jersey S. in addition to finishing runner- up in the G2 Lennox S. at Goodwood. Also suiting up for the Boys in Blue are MGSP Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), also trained by Appleby and winner two back of the G2 Al Fahidi Fort S. over a bit further; and the Saeed bin Suroor-conditioned Mutafawwig (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), second going seven furlongs in two of three starts this term.

Among the U.S.-based runners taking part this year, Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) is one of three winners at the highest level in this test. Recording a career high in the six-panel GI Jaipur S. at Belmont last June, he finished third in the one-mile

GI Fourstardave H. at Saratoga before finishing off the board in the GIII Turf Sprint and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar in November. He returned off a layoff to finish a close-up second behind Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint Cup in Saudi Arabia Feb. 26.

“He has handled everything well. He likes it out here, and takes everything in stride,” said Neil Poznansky, assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has been with Casa Creed throughout his Middle East soujourn.

America is also represented by Get Smokin (Get Stormy), the mount of Flavien Prat who tries a trip this sharp for the first time since finishing third at first asking at Saratoga in August 2019. He was most recently runner-up in defence of his crown in the GII Tampa Bay S. Feb. 5.

A Case of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) punched his ticket to last fall's Breeders' GI Cup Turf Sprint with a nose victory over Air de Valse (Fr) (Mesnil des Aigles {Fr}) in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye Oct. 3. Fifth at Del Mar the following month, the 4-year-old rebounded to win when finding easier company at Dundalk in his seasonal return Feb. 11 before finishing second behind Man of Promise last time out in Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.

Pinehurst Goes For International Double in Derby

by Alan Carasso

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) looks to double up in the desert when he jumps as the likely favorite against some interesting rivals in Saturday's $1.5-million G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse.

Winner of the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity at second asking last September, the $385,000 Keeneland September purchase was fifth to champion stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Corniche (Quality Road) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November and was runner-up to Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah) in the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29. Ridden for speed last time in the G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 26, he dug in doggedly to withstand a late lunge from Japan's Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) and looks to see out this extended trip with an extra three-sixteenths of a mile to negotiate.

The latter is one of four in the race for Japan, successful in this with Lani (Tapit) in 2016. The chestnut narrowly bested Reiwa Homare (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) in a Hanshin allowance in October and defeated Godolphin's Combustion (Jpn)–a son of 2006 UAE Derby hero Discreet Cat–in the Listed Hyogo Junior Grand Prix at Sonoda Nov. 25. Combustion, later the winner of the Listed Hyacinth S. to pick up 30 Kentucky Derby points, was much the best in a Wednesday blowout with World Cup aspirant Chuwa Wizard (Jpn).

Moscow debut winner Azure Coast (Street Sense) looks to remain perfect in four starts here, having gotten just the better of Withering (GB) (Mondialiste {Ire}) in a non-Carnival allowance in December at this track before closing from a mile back in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas Feb. 11. Runner-up Kiefer (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) returned to be sixth in the Saudi Derby and has since been acquired by Hong Kong connections. Third home in the Guineas was Quality Boone (Arg) (Daniel Boone {Brz}), who franked the form with a victory over Withering in the Listed Al Bastakiya S. on Super Saturday Mar. 5.

Irwin (Brz) (Seek Again) is the Derby X-factor. He is two-for-three on dirt, both at Group 1 level, including a nine-length romp in the Derby Nacional when last seen in November (video). If Timeform ratings are to be believed, he is in the thick of this at a big price.

Limitless 'Ambition' in Godolphin Mile?

by Heather Anderson

Champion trainer-elect Bhupat Seemar saddles a trio in the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel, the first Thoroughbred race on the card. Last year's winner, Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel Aus}), is on a recovery mission after his six-length demolition job in 2021. The 9-year-old has only made two starts since his Dubai World Cup night triumph, which resulted in a second-place finish to the re-opposing Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})-runner-up in the Godolphin Mile last term–in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 over track and trip on Jan. 14. The 1800-metre $20-million G1 Saudi Cup stretched his stamina reserves too far, and, after leading under pressure, he faded to seventh on Feb. 26. On Saturday he leaves from gate three.

Seemar stablemates Al Nefud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), second to $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup entrant Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 on Feb. 4, and Tuz (Oxbow) also line up. The latter completed the trifecta behind Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Doug Watson's Mubakker (Speightstown) in the Mar. 5 G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday.

The omnipresent royal blue of Godolphin is carried by two runners from the Saeed bin Suroor camp, and it is the listed winner Storm Damage (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who appears to have the most upside. Five-for-seven in his young career, the 4-year-old gelding has serious questions to answer, as this is his first try both on dirt and at the group level. Leaving from gate seven, he's won his last two starts, but both were over the local grass going 1400 metres on Feb. 11 and Mar. 5, respectively.

Group 2 winner Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) represents the phenomenally successful trainer Yoshito Yahagi, while Feb. 20 G1 February S. fourth Soliste Thunder (Jpn) (Toby's Corner) flies the flag of trainer Dalsuke Takayanagi. Rounding out the Japanese challenge is Full Flat (Speightstown), who has already displayed his liking for the desert, as he was the winner of the inaugural Saudi Derby for conditioner Hideyuki Mori in 2020.

Snapper Sinclair (City Zip), fourth in the 2021 edition and fellow Steve Asmussen trainee Bankit (Central Banker) have flown in from the States, while the Abdullah Mishriff barn is represented by Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), who holds an important formline, as he was only a length behind subsequent Saudi Cup hero Emblem Road (Quality Road) going this trip in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 15.

All Eyes On Unbeaten Manobo in Dubai Gold Cup

By Bob Nastanovich

Since the creation of the Dubai World Cup night concept, which was inaugurated at nearby Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in 1996, the general idea has been to invite the world's best to take on Dubai's best. In large part, Dubai's best have been owned and raced by Godolphin. The $1-million G2 Dubai Gold Cup, a two-mile test on Meydan's turf course, has been won by Godolphin four times including the race's 2019 victor Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).

The exciting Godolphin-owned, Charlie Appleby-trained Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) brings an undefeated five-for-five record into this year's Gold Cup and the 4-year-old is still improving judging by his effortless victory in G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on Feb. 18, his first run over Meydan's turf course.

Appleby, who had a banner year in 2021 culminating with three Breeders' Cup wins, rates Manobo as his best chance of a winner and it is difficult to see beyond the imposing, unexposed gelding in the 13-horse line-up. “We were all delighted with his first run in Dubai, it could not have gone any better,” said Appleby, who also trained Cross Counter.

If looking for a chink in Manobo's armour, he has never been tried at a trip of more than 15 furlongs, the distance he travelled over Longchamp's very soft turf course to win the G2 Prix Chaudenay on Oct. 2. In addition, Appleby also said this week, “I don't think he's a dour stayer, in fact I toyed with running him the G2 Dubai City Of Gold and maybe in time we'll come back in distance with him.”

Manobo's biggest challenge will likely come from the Japanese raider Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), a convincing wire-to-wire winner of the Feb. 26 G3 Longines Red Sea H. on the Saudi Cup card. Stay Foolish, who had never raced beyond 12 furlongs previously, relished the added distance on that occasion and drubbed an Irish Group 1 winner Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the process. However, the 7-year-old globetrotter will have to step up further to fend off Manobo in this spot.

The post Life Is Good The Main Man at Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Having raced only on dirt since his debut in October of his 2-year-old season, the son of Sinister Minister marked a win and two thirds during his debut year and landed three more wins out of seven starts the following year, which included his first graded challenge in NAR's year-end Tokyo Daishoten (G1, dirt, 2,000m, or 1 1/4 miles) where he finished sixth. T O Keynes kicked off this season with three consecutive wins, which included the Antares Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m, or 1 1/8 miles) in April and the Teio Sho (dirt, 2,000m) in June, and came off a fourth in the JBC Classic (dirt, 2,100m) on Nov. 3.

This win marked trainer Daisuke Takayanagi's first JRA-G1 and third JRA graded title and jockey Kohei Matsuyama's fifth JRA-G1 win following his victory in the Shuka Sho with Daring Tact last year.

T O Keynes, overcoming his weak start, broke smoothly from stall six and traveled two wide around sixth from Sodashi who set a slow pace. Though meeting traffic at the top of the stretch, the four-year-old chestnut shifted to the outside toward a narrow space outside Inti and, once finding an open space, broke loose from the pack 300 meters out and produced a remarkable turn of speed that timed the fastest last three furlongs to pull away for an overwhelming six-length victory.

“Though the JBC Classic result was disappointing due to the slow start, he broke smoothly today, thanks to the gate practice he went through at the stable,” commented jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “I was able to ride him in good rhythm and he responded remarkably well turning the fourth corner, so everything was perfect. I think he's a very strong horse and I'm glad I was able to bring out his strong performance.”

Defending champion Chuwa Wizard traveled wide toward the rear of the front pack, around 10-11th from the front, and rounded the last two corners the widest of the field. The King Kamehameha brown ran persistently in the stretch, passing his rivals one by one, and, while no match for the winner, managed to overtake Another Truth 50 meters out for a runner-up effort.

Fourteenth pick Another Truth settled around fifth outside the race favorite, closed ground turning the last two corners wide and was at the top of the field running side by side with the eventual winner 300 meters out. Though unable to follow T O Keynes's fast closing speed and overtaken by the runner-up 50 meters out, the seven-year-old chestnut dueled strongly with Inti before the wire to notch third place.

Other Horses:
4th: (4) Inti—tracked leader in 2nd, took lead at early stretch, soon overtaken by winner, weakened in last 100m
5th: (3) Sunrise Nova—positioned around 13th, showed 3rd fastest late kick but belatedly
6th: (9) Auvergne—ran around 8th, dropped position turning last corners, accelerated in last 200m
7th: (15) Meisho Hario—made 3-wide trip around 11th, driven after 3rd corner, lacked needed kick
8th: (8) Suave Aramis—settled along rails near rear, passed tired rivals after meeting traffic 200m out
9th: (5) Air Spinel—saved ground around 8th, showed brief effort, outrun in last 100m
10th: (2) Casino Fountain—hugged rails inside winner around 5th, failed to respond at stretch
11th: (16) Cafe Pharoah—raced 3-wide around 11th, made headway to 6th, showed little at stretch
12th: (1) Sodashi—set pace, maintained lead up to 400m pole, dropped back
13th: (10) K T Brave—trailed in rear, gradually advanced, never fired at stretch
14th: (12) Clincher—sat 3-wide around 7th, found little room after entering stretch
15th: (7) Sunrise Hope—chased leaders around 3rd, checked at early stretch, faded
16th: (14) Danon Pharaoh—traveled in 13th early, fell back to last in backstretch

The post Japan: Dirt Specialist T O Keynes Dominates Champions Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Named the champion of her generation when capping a perfect freshman campaign in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last December, Sodashi resumed with a victory in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over the metric mile Apr. 11, but did not see out the 12 furlongs of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) May 23, finishing eighth to Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). Given a break, Sodashi defeated history-maker Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Aug. 23 G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000mT), but weakened to 10th after racing prominently as the odds-on favourite in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000mT) Oct. 17.

In addition to her sire's dirt exploits, her equally popular dam Buchiko (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was a four-time winner on the main track and is a half-sister to Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune), a three-time stakes winner on the dirt.

“On her pedigree, it looks like she'll be able to perform on dirt, and in her training uphill she's been running well and posting good times,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai of the rail-drawn Sodashi. “I think she's well prepared for her first run on dirt over 1800 metres. I hope she can be well forward and not use up too much, too soon.”

SODASHI just drew Gate 1 for the G1 1800m Champions Cup on Sunday, her first run on Dirt https://t.co/UM4jbg0AuO

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) December 2, 2021

Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) rallied from midfield to scoop this valuable prize last year before venturing abroad to be ninth in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and runner-up in the G1 Dubai World Cup the following month. Sixth to T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) in the Listed Teio Sho at Ohi in June, the 6-year-old prepped for this with a sound third–with T O Keynes fourth–in the Listed JBC Classic at Kanazawa Nov. 3.

American Pharoah is represented by a pair of runners, each drawn awkwardly. Danon Pharaoh (Jpn) has gate 14 and made the Listed Diolite Kinen in March his one success from four runs this term. He exits a seventh after racing handy to the pace in the JBC Classic. Drawn widest of the 16 is Cafe Pharoah, a low-odds sixth behind Chuwa Wizard last December after winning this track's G3 Sirius S., and who took out this year's G1 February S. at Tokyo. But has generally struggled over the NAR tracks and was fifth to Casino Fountain (Jpn) (Casino Drive) in the Listed Kashiwa Kinen at Funabashi in May, and is best forgiven for a ninth-place effort when trying the grass for the first time in the G3 Hakodate Kinen in July. The 4-year-old makes his first start since.

The relatively lightly raced Sunrise Hope (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) has risen through the grades this term and is understandably well in the market off his last-out success in the Sirius S. Oct. 2.

The post All Eyes On Sodashi In Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bangkok (IRE) – Anna Lisa Balding was happy with what she saw from the British raider, who was not overly extended in a visit to the dirt track.

“He just had a trot around and then a canter around,” she said. “Her work rider Maddy O'Meara came back with a smile on her face, and that's good enough for me.”

Charlatan (USA) – The Bob Baffert-trained 4-year-old followed his typical routine leading up to a race galloping 2400m over the dirt track.

Mike Smith has the call aboard the son of Speightstown who will leave from post nine for Saturday's race.

“He has raw talent. He's just so good. The one-turn mile and an eighth (1800m) should be just perfect for him,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said.

Chuwa Wizard (JPN) – A light day for the Japanese runner, who did not visit the track and instead walked around the parade ring with assistant trainer Kota Kato in the saddle to familiarise him to the raceday experience.

“Everything has been under control,” said trainer Ryuji Okubo. “We will decide whether he works on the main track or not later today.”

Knicks Go (USA) – Arriving at the track just after 7am, Korea Racing Authority's Saudi Cup contender did an easy canter around the dirt oval under assistant trainer Dustin Dugas.

A three-time Grade 1 winner, the grey son of Paynter enters in the form of his career, fresh off an easy front-running victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

The victory marked his fourth consecutive victory and made him perfect in four starts for trainer Brad Cox. Previously trained by Ben Colebrook for two wins from 14 starts, he was a Grade 1 winner at two and was second to champion Game Winner in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

“At some point toward the end of 2019, they sent him to me from Blackwood (Stables) and (general manager and former Shug McGaughey assistant trainer) Robby Medina in Lexington and warned us he's an aggressive horse who likes to train,” Cox said.

“It really takes a good rider to handle him. He's forward, he's tough and he's eager and that makes him a very good work horse and you lead him over to the races with confidence because of that. The first race he had with us was an (allowance conditions) at Oaklawn and we thought 'if this horse doesn't show up and run, then mentally he's done because you can't train that well and not compete in a two-other-than allowance'.

“Then he showed up and ran big, but had a setback and the owners were talking about retiring him, but I told them we should just give him the time and see how he comes back and if he doesn't then we could just retire him. It was that time of year, around March, when it wasn't like he could go off to stud and get any business, so we brought him back and it worked out well, obviously.”

Showing marked improvement, the $87,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase of 2017 has gone from trying to rate to free-wheeling on the front end—something that has been encouraged by the Cox squad. He has now earned $3,088,995.

“I don't know how anyone else trains but myself, but one thing we do with him and all our horses is we allow them to train on,” Cox explained. “We let them stretch their legs and do strong gallop-outs and keep them happy. Two weeks before the Pegasus, he put in a phenomenal piece of work that gave us the confidence that he would go (1800m), galloping out a mile in 1:39, which at the Fair Grounds (Racecourse) is a very good move. We put draw reins on him and let him gallop. He raced a lot as a 3-year-old, was lightly raced as a 4-year-old and now is totally sound as a 5-year-old and you can see that the way he moves. He floats over the ground right now.”

Jockey Joel Rosario, who is currently in flying form, has been aboard for his past three wins.

Cox continued: “I think Joel fits him extremely well. The first time he sat on him was his Keeneland allowance win and he said 'man, this is a really nice horse' which is funny because I had told him before 'hey, you're just going to have to hold on'.

“Then in the Breeders' Cup, we almost didn't get in the race, but his (speed) numbers stacked up and I actually think he went off as the favourite against a bunch of good horses. The thing with him is he was a G1 winner and won the allowance and Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, but the question was whether he would transfer his form to Gulfstream in the Pegasus, but he was able to get it done.”

Drawing post five in the Saudi Cup, Knicks Go will likely have a good deal of company on the front end from Charlatan

“He doesn't have to have the lead, he's just a really honest horse who likes to be forwardly placed. When the gate comes open, we'll let the jock play the break and place him accordingly,” Cox said. “The post will be important, obviously. I watched the race last year several times and it's hard to get a read on it because the horse on the lead (Mucho Gusto, fourth) was so far off the rail and then (Midnight Bisou, second) was actually glued to the rail, so it's hard to know how the track plays. It seems like two of the better horses obviously have a lot of speed and will make this a very good race.”

Max Player (USA) – The 4-year-old Honor Code colt schooled in the starting gate on Thursday morning with regular exercise Carlos Rosas aboard. After being backed out, the Steve Asmussen trainee galloped once around the dirt oval.

Military Law (GB) – Group 2 winner Military Law had his first look at the track on Thursday morning, having shipped in Tuesday evening and hand-walked on Wednesday morning at the quarantine stables.

The son of Dubawi is in top form, exiting a smart victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at Meydan, defeating multiple top-level winners and proving he could cut back in trip in the process.

“He's quite versatile, but you always want the easiest run possible and down inside wouldn't be bad,” said Maria Ritchie, assistant to trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

“He's come through very well shipping and his work has been very good leading up to the race. We can't ask much more. He's fresh and in great form and I think he has a lot more to show, even though he's six. He's a lot stronger than last season and Antonio (Fresu, jockey) is very comfortable with him – he rides him out in the mornings, as well.”

Fresu and the gingerly campaigned 6-year-old bay gelding will break from post 10 of 14 in the $20 million affair. From 12 starts, he has been first or second eight times. In his lone Group 1 try, he was second to Matterhorn in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 eleven months ago.

Fresu added: “He was good. He seems to be looking around a lot at the new place, but he went really well on the track. When I finished cantering, he was very proud of himself going back to the stable. He was moving great on the surface. I think it's a beautiful track.”

Mishriff (IRE) and Global Giant (GB) – Arrived on track shortly after 7am with their stable-mate and Saudi Derby contender New Treasure.

Thady Gosden, assistant to his father John, said: “They went for a canter on the main track this morning, and fortunately everything was straightforward. They seem to be well in themselves, and I hope everything goes smoothly leading up to the race.”

Simsir (IRE) – The Bahrain International Trophy winner had an easy hack around the dirt course at just past 7am on Thursday. Trainer Fawzi Nass – partner in ownership group Victorious – observed on the apron.

This will be the first time the Aga Khan-bred son of Zoffany runs on dirt. Nass, appropriately, has made a habit of finding useful dirt runners with turf pedigrees including Salute the Soldier, a son of Sepoy who won last week's Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 at Meydan.

“I do see, looking at him, that he might be able to run on dirt, so I hope that I'm right one more time,” Nass said. “You never know until they really go on it. Obviously, I have seen that transition before.

“We train in Bahrain on the sand track and this is where I've seen it happen and I've seen him move on it. I know this is a different surface from our sand track – it's mixed with wood shavings etc so I hope I'm right in thinking he can run on the dirt.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd (USA) – As has now become a familiar sight, on Thursday morning the Miguel Angel Silva trained Sleepy Eyes Todd spent a good few minutes at the entrance of the dirt track, observing his surroundings before his rider José Sandoval nudged him into action.

“He just jogged one lap,” said his Mexico City-born trainer Miguel Angel Silva. “We just want to keep him fresh. All the exercise he needs to do is that. Right now it's just about keeping him sound and happy and then go for the race. And he does look happy.”

Tacitus (USA) – The Bill Mott-trained striking grey horse made his way onto the dirt track on Thursday morning after spending the previous day doing his work on the training track in the quarantine area.

As is his want, the 5-year-old stood near where the 1800m chute meets the main track and took in the proceedings before galloping off under assistant trainer Neil Poznansky.

“He loves it. That's his thing,” he said. “That's his routine. Just let him do his thing and he's happy.”

Having drawn post seven at the draw on Wednesday evening, Poznansky was pleased noting that with the long run to the turn that jockey John Velazquez will have “the whole backside to work out a trip”.

“The last time Johnny rode him was at Belmont (in the Grade 2 Suburban) and he won by 8¾ lengths,” he said.

The post Saudi Cup Notes: Knicks Go ‘Doesn’t Have To Have The Lead,’ Tactitus Has ‘The Whole Backside To Work Out A Trip’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Chuwa Wizard had started his 2020 term in flying form in the Grade 1 Kawasaki Kinen, with the son of King Kamehameha clinching a six-length win in what had looked to be a good preparation for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan last March.

However, the cancellation of the meeting from the Covid-19 pandemic saw a 20-strong Japanese contingent, including Chuwa Wizard, flying back home instead.

So Chuwa Wizard reappeared in June, with Christophe Lemaire partnering him to finish third behind Chrysoberyl, last year's Saudi Cup contender, in the 2000m (1 1/4-mile) Teio Sho at NAR-Oi.

In the following JBC Classic, at the same track in November, Lemaire had his mount sitting handily in the field on a rain-affected track but he finished third behind his biggest rival, Chrysoberyl, once again.

But in December, in the Champions Cup at Chukyo, he finally gained not only his first Grade 1 at the top-tier JRA level in Japanese racing, but the edge over Chrysoberyl as he came two and a half lengths clear in an ideal prep for his Saudi Cup challenge.

“He's a very talented horse,” said trainer Ryuji Okubo. “From the tactics we had in the JBC Classic, I decided to change the strategy again in the race. I wanted to make the most of what he had, so I told the jockey (Keita Tosaki) to settle him further back, targeting Chrysoberyl from behind.”

Bred by the Japanese leading breeding operation Northern Farm, Chuwa Wizard has barely put a foot wrong since winning a maiden at Kyoto in February 2018. Since his debut, he has been unplaced only once in his 18 career starts.

Tosaki has partnered Chuwa Wizard in his exercise since he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday and is happy with what he has seen.

“He has matured a lot and showed lots of progress every time he races,” the jockey said. “I think he is in really good form and has been the same as how he is at home, feeling good.”

After helping his mount to his most significant victory to date in Japan, Tosaki is keen to make the most of their partnership in what will be a new experience.

“Having riding experiences overseas is nothing but very special for me,” he said. “My last trip to overseas was the Shergar Cup at Ascot (in 2017), and this is my first trip to Saudi Arabia.

“I have had a really good time and it is a great experience to ride here. Even under the difficult circumstances, I am very honored and grateful to have been invited.”

The post Saudi Cup: Japanese Grade 1 Winner Chuwa Wizard ‘In Really Good Form’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

In total, the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh will host 77 overseas contenders representing 13 different countries from around the world who between them have won 24 Group or Grade 1 contests.

The highlight of the meeting is the $20 million Saudi Cup, and the second staging of the world's most valuable race looks set to feature another crop of star names.

The field could be headed by Brad Cox's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner Knicks Go (USA), who is part of a strong American contingent which includes Grade 1 Malibu Stakes winner Charlatan (USA) and Tacitus (USA), returning for a second tilt at the race and owned by Juddmonte Farms.

Ryuji Okubo's impressive Grade 1 Champions Cup winner Chuwa Wizard (JPN) represents Japan, while John Gosden is likely to saddle Mishriff (IRE) who was second in the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby at this meeting 12 months ago.

A host of other top-class horses look likely to take their spots in Riyadh, with Freddy Head's four-time Group 1 winner Call The Wind (GB) seeking back-to-back victories in the $2.5m Red Sea Turf Handicap, alongside last year's third Prince Of Arran (GB), trained by Charlie Fellowes.

Both the 1200m $1.5m SAUDIA Riyadh Dirt Sprint and $1m stc 1351 Turf Sprint have also attracted a host of well-regarded types.

Group 1 July Cup winner Oxted (UK), trained in the UK by Roger Teal, looks all set to run in the SAUDIA Riyadh Dirt Sprint, where he could take on Yoshito Yahagi's Justin (JPN) – the earner of an automatic spot in the race after winning the Grade 3 Capella Stakes in December.

The stc 1351 Turf Sprint is another race that has attracted a strong field, with last year's winner Dark Power (IRE), trained in Bahrain by Allan Smith, back to defend his crown. He'll face a strong challenge again this time around with Charlie Appleby's Space Blues (IRE), the winner of his last four races, including most recently in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, as well as Joseph O'Brien's Speak In Colours (GB) both expected to line up.

Bill Mott's Channel Maker (CAN), last seen finishing third to Tarnawa in the Breeders' Cup Turf, is the likely star name in the 2100m $1m Neom Turf Cup, a field which also includes Gronkowski (USA), now trained by Abdulaziz Khalid in Saudi Arabia.

The Purebred Arabian runners in the 2000m $2m Obaiya Arabian Classic are headlined by the Group 1-winning Messi (BEL), trained by Timo Keersmaekers in Belgium, who will clash with last year's winner Tallaab Al Khalediah (KSA), trained locally by Mutlaq Bin Mushref.

This year's Saudi Cup meeting also sees the addition of a new race, the $500k Al Rajhi Bank International Handicap, which is specifically aimed at horses trained in IFHA Part II or Part III countries, and is run on Friday 19 February on stc International Jockeys' Challenge day.

There are horses entered from six different countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Spain, the Czech Republic and Greece.

Tom Ryan, Director of Strategy and International Racing for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said:

“We were very excited when we saw the entry list for the second staging of The Saudi Cup and now we know the likely fields, we really are delighted.

“A battle between the likes of Knicks Go, Charlatan, Mishriff and Chuwa Wizard in The Saudi Cup would be a huge thrill, while the strength and quality of all the other races has really stood up.

“The entire team are working incredibly hard to deliver a world class event where the health and safety of all participants is paramount. It has obviously been an difficult year for everyone and we are glad that we are able to put on this meeting for racing fans all over the world to enjoy.”

For a list of where you can watch the Saudi Cup from home, please visit www.thesaudicup.com.sa and click “Where to watch”.

Download possible runners and past performances: https://thesaudicup.com.sa/page/Races

The post Likely Saudi Cup Day Fields Include 77 Contenders From Overseas appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Programmed for a defence of her title in the G1 Dubai Turf last March, Almond Eye returned to Japan following the cancellation of the multi-million dollar race meeting in late March and instead made her 5-year-old debut in the G1 Victoria Mile, where–facing her own sex for the first time since completing the Fillies Triple Crown in the 2018 G1 Shuka Sho–she proved an easy winner, stopping the timer in 1:30.6. Runner-up to Gran Alegria in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June, Almond Eye defeated champion older male Fierement (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to win the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) for the second year in a row and handed Contrail his first career defeat when concluding her career victoriously in the Nov. 29 Japan Cup.

WATCH: Almond Eye wins the 2020 Japan Cup en route to HOTY honours

Gran Alegria put together a Horse of the Year-worthy campaign herself, defeating males in the G1 Sprinters’ S. (1200m) in October, the strength of which was amplified when that race’s runner-up Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) returned to land the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Gran Alegria closed a three-for-four season in the G1 Mile Championship, besting the classy Indy Champ (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) with an irresistible late flourish. All but one of the 283 votes were cast for Gran Alegria (one was cast for Almond Eye).

Contrail was untouchable versus his age group, completing the Triple Crown with a hard-fought success in the G1 Kikuka Sho before finding only Almond Eye too strong in the Japan Cup. Fierement, whose retirement was announced Wednesday, made three trips to the post in 2020, winning the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3000 metres in May and was last seen finishing a close third to ‘Special Award’ winner Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G1 Arima Kinen. Deep Impact’s three champions for 2020 take his total to 21 in his illustrious career.

Daring Tact’s campaign very much mirrored that of Contrail, as she was untouchable in the Filly Triple Crown series before finishing third in the Japan Cup.

Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) and the white filly Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) locked up the 2-year-old male and female divisions, respectively, with victories in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. and G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, while Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was given the nod as the country’s top dirt horse following his win in the G1 Champions Cup last month.

The post Almond Eye Japan’s HOTY For Second Time In Three Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post