dubai world cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

NBC Racing, Hockey Analyst Eddie Olczyk Joins Writers’ Room

It's busy season for NBC's Eddie Olczyk. One of the few analysts on national television to dabble in multiple sports, the popular former hockey star is gearing up to broadcast the GI Kentucky Derby as well as the NHL playoffs this spring, and he joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland Tuesday afternoon to discuss it all. Calling in via Zoom as the Green Group Guest of the Week, Olczyk talked about his handicapping strategies, what horses he's eyeing for the first Saturday in May, his ordeal with colon cancer and much more.

Asked about his racing origins and unique broadcasting perspective, Olczyk said, “Since I was 13 years old here in Chicago at old Arlington Park, for me, it was love at first sight. I think anybody that I either bring to the racetrack or teach them about handicapping or just share stories about horse racing with, once they go [to the track], it seems like they continue to go. So I'd like to think that I've made an impact as far as getting hockey people involved in it. On the other side, I think I've turned a lot of horse racing people into hockey fans. Which both sports, quite frankly, could certainly use. We could use more people, especially young people, getting to know and loving both games. As I love to say, pucks and ponies, there's nothing better. And it's a great time of year with the Triple Crown and the NHL playoffs right around the corner.”

Later, Olczyk opened up about his six-month long chemotherapy battle with stage 3 colon cancer.

“The first thing I thought was, 'How long do I have to live?'” he said about his reaction when he got the diagnosis. “Colon cancer is very treatable if you can get to it early, but I was at stage 3. I was in one of those situations where it could've gone either way. I started my chemo Sept. 11, 2017. It was every two weeks for 48 hours. I was very lucky to have an incredible team of doctors. My wife Diana–we'll be married 33 years come August–was there every step of the way. I never saw her weak, never saw her down, never saw her worried, but I knew that when I wasn't around or she was by herself, she let her guard down. I was scared, and the side effects brought me to my knees. It tested my will to live. When I was ready to quit, she gave me a greater inspirational speech than I'd ever heard in any locker room or other setting in my life. She grabbed me and said, 'Look, you've got to fight. For me, for our kids, and for all the people that love you.' The conversation lasted 30 minutes. I cried for 35 of it. I said, 'OK, I'm just going to grab my hockey helmet and put it back on and I'm going to go day to day.'”

Elsewhere in the show, the writers reacted to the big racing days at Gulfstream and Dubai, including the tragic breakdown of Zenden (Fed Biz) before celebrating the continued overall progress in reducing racing fatalities in the West Point Thoroughbreds news segment. Click here to watch the podcast; click here for the audio-only version.

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‘We Didn’t Lose, We Learned’: Jesus’ Team Exits Dubai World Cup Sixth In Good Order

Jose D'Angelo was understandably disappointed with Jesus' Team's sixth-place finish in Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), but the 30-year-old trainer has returned to South Florida with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“We didn't lose, we learned,” said the Venezuela-born trainer, who has been training in the U.S. for less than two years. “We learned a lot of little things. In this sport, a lot of little things make big things happen.”

Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team, who earned a trip to Dubai with a second-place finish in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, raced evenly in traffic to finish sixth of 12 starters in the Dubai World Cup.

“In the mornings he showed life, in the race he showed different,” D'Angelo said. “I don't know what happened. One thing is a horse in the morning and the other thing is a horse running between 12 horses in the afternoon. The most important thing is Jesus came back perfect. He came back from the race like he does for a gallop, not tired.”

Jesus' Team is scheduled to fly to Chicago Thursday and will be in quarantine for three days before to returning to D'Angelo's stable at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“When he comes back, he'll get all the time he needs,” said D'Angelo, who was the leading trainer in Venezuela before he ventured to the U.S. “When he does come back, he will have an impact.”

Jesus's Team captured a $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream Park while making his first start for D'Angelo last May. The 4-year-old son of Tapiture went on to finish third in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga and Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico and second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland before returning to Gulfstream to win the Claiming Crown Jewel and finish second in the Pegasus.

D'Angelo drove the truck towing Jesus' Team's van for each of his major stakes engagements before the trainer and his overachieving horse traveled separately to Dubai.

“For me, it was the first time traveling with a horse outside the USA,” D'Angelo said. “It was an amazing experience. I would like to go back next year.”

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Dubai World Cup Winner Mystic Guide Takes Over NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

Godolphin homebred Mystic Guide earned his first top-level victory in spectacular fashion this past weekend when he surged to a 3 ¾-length triumph in the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. In addition to padding his career bankroll, that win allowed the son of Ghostzapper to continue to elevate his reputation in the handicap ranks as he takes over the No. 1 spot in this week's National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Trained by Michael Stidham, Mystic Guide came into the Group 1 Dubai World Cup off a six-length victory in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on February 27. The 4-year-old colt, who won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes during his sophomore campaign, earned 21 first-place votes and 333 points this week to move past fellow Grade 1 winner Charlatan into the lead position on the poll.

“Today he proved he is a champion and I know he is going to get better and better,” jockey Luis Saez told the Dubai World Cup notes team after piloting Mystic Guide to victory. “What a nice horse, he has all the ability. It's an honor for me. It's a dream come true.”

Charlatan, who most recently finished as the runner-up in the $20 million Saudi Cup, drops one spot to second with 10 first-place votes and 328 points. Champion distaffer Monomoy Girl sits third with 6 first-place votes and 309 points followed by fellow champion Swiss Skydiver (1 first-place vote, 249 points) and stablemate Knicks Go (231 points).

Grade 1 winner Colonel Liam ranks sixth with 193 points while Santa Anita Handicap hero Idol (122 points) is seventh. Godolphin's Maxfield ranks eighth with 68 points while Shedaresthedevil (52 points), and champion female sprinter Gamine (45) round out the top 10.

The Godolphin team reigns over both NTRA polls this week as their unbeaten juvenile champion Essential Quality maintains his lead position in the Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll with 31 first-place votes and 373 points ahead of his expected run in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 3.

Concert Tour, winner of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, remains second with 6 first-place votes and 330 points with Louisiana Derby victor Hot Rod Charlie moving up to third with 258 points. Known Agenda joins the top 10 for the first time, landing in the fourth spot this week with 240 points following his triumph in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

Medina Spirit sits fifth with 185 points while Greatest Honour (178 points) drops to sixth after finishing third as the favorite in the Florida Derby. Risk Taking (89 points) is seventh followed by Life Is Good (1 first-place vote, 88 points), Midnight Bourbon (70), and Helium (51).

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred polls are the sport's most comprehensive surveys of experts. Every week eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. All horses that have raced in the U.S., are in training in the U.S., or are known to be pointing to a major event in the U.S. are eligible for the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Voting in the Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll concludes following the Belmont Stakes on June 5 and the Top Thoroughbred Poll is scheduled to be conducted through November 6.

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Mystic Guide Much The Best in the Dubai World Cup

On paper, the 25th running of the G1 Dubai World Cup looked a wide-open affair. At the end of a mile and a quarter on the Meydan dirt, however, it was the international favourite Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) who posted a straightforward and convincing victory for owner/breeder Godolphin and trainer Mike Stidham. It was a ninth win in the Dubai World Cup for Godolphin-and a first trained from the U.S.-and the 12th American-trained winner overall.

The $12-million race with not without its drama, with two horses-Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}) and Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})-getting lose in the preliminaries and subsequently scratching-but once the gates sprung at last it was soon apparent that Mystic Guide would be a force to be reckoned with. Away with the field from gate six, the 4-year-old settled on the heels of last-out G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 second Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) on the run into the first turn, with a keen Capezzano (Bernardini) passing him on the outside to provide further cover. Luis Saez soon switched Mystic Guide out to the three path to track that pair about three lengths adrift, with G1 Champions Cup scorer Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) back on the rail in fourth. Mystic Guide began to inch closer at they approached the turn, first overtaking a tiring Capezzano and then drawing even with Hypothetical as they cornered. The favourite never looked like a loser after straightening, and he pulled clear under minimal urging from Saez to post a three-length score over the staying-on Chuwa Wizard. Andre Fabre's Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), making his dirt debut off three straight wins over the turf and all-weather in France, made eye-catching late progress after racing midpack to be third for Godolphin.

Stidham was having his first runner outside the U.S., having taken out his training license in 1980.

“I want to start by giving my condolences on the passing of Sheikh Hamdan,” said Stidham. “This was a special night. You're seeing 40 years of emotions right now.

“I am so happy to be here and the horse performed to his capability. It's a beautiful thing. He was getting antsy in the parade ring and then with a loose horse it made it more difficult, then we had to load a couple times. It was a little scary at the start but he stayed relaxed.

“All that added to the concerns. He gets a little tough and doesn't like being restrained a lot. I saddled him outside the stall because he was getting a little antsy in the stall. With all that went on, I was really concerned, like I said, but he overcame it.

“I got a good feeling when I saw him lying in third on the backside then down the lane it was amazing. I'm so proud to be here on the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup for Sheikh Mohammed and the sky's the limit for this horse. We'd love to come back next year, I'll know the lay of the land better then.”

Saez added, “Our plan worked out. To break well, get a position and then I knew he would give me that kick at the top of the straight–and he did. I didn't want to be too far back and I just asked him turning for home and he kicked. The plan worked out perfectly. He's a young horse and last time I rode him I knew he was a Group 1 winner.

“Today he proved he is a champion and I know he is going to get better and better. What a nice horse, he has all the ability. It's an honour for me. This was my dream as a little kid and I can't believe I'm here now. It's a dream come true.

“He was a little nervous before the race and in the post-parade, but he does that sometimes and I wasn't too worried. He is just a very talented horse and it is amazing to win this race. I can't believe it.”

A debut third after traveling wide going six furlongs at Fair Grounds last February, Mystic Guide broke his maiden by five lengths stretching out to 1700 metres five weeks later. Five lengths second in a first-level allowance at Belmont Park on June 4, the chestnut was third on his stakes debut in the GIII Peter Pan S. at Saratoga. Rather than targeting the U.S. Triple Crown rearranged by Covid-19, Mystic Guide reappeared in the GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga on Kentucky Derby Sept. 5, winning by three-quarters of a length. Moving into Grade I company and stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Oct. 10 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, Mystic Guide posted an ominous sign of things to come with a staying-on second. A six-length romp in the Oaklawn Park mud in the Feb. 27 GIII Razorback H. was his lone prior start in 2021.

Pedigree Notes

Mystic Guide is the sixth foal and first stakes winner out of Music Note (A.P. Indy), who was bred by Sheikh Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm and trained from Saeed bin Suroor's former American base to win the GI Mother Goose S., GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Gazelle S. as a 3-year-old in 2008 before adding the GI Ballerina S. and GI Beldame S. in 2009. Music Note is a half-sister to Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}), who was raced by Sheikh Maktoum to win the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches with Andre Fabre and later the GI John C Mabee H. with Neil Drysdale. Music Note and Musical Chimes are out of the unraced Sadler's Wells mare Note Musicale (GB), who is out of the champion 2-year-old filly and five-time Grade I winner It's In The Air (Mr. Prospector), who was bought by Darley for $4.6-million at Keeneland November in 1984 in foal to Seattle Slew, with the resulting filly being the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte scorer Bitooh (GB). Another daughter of It's In The Air, Try To Catch Me (Shareef Dancer), produced Sheikh Maktoum's G1 Champion S. and GI Charles Whittingham Memorial H. and GI Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship victor Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian).

Music Note has a 2-year-old filly by Maclean's Music named Gina. She didn't have a foal in 2020 and foaled a Medaglia d'Oro colt on Saturday morning, just hours before Mystic Guide's victory.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo/up, 10f, 2:01.61, fs.
1–MYSTIC GUIDE, 126, c, 4, by Ghostzapper
                1st Dam: Music Note (MGISW-US, $1,615,000),
                                by A.P. Indy
                2nd Dam: Note Musicale (GB), by Sadler's Wells
                3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Michael Stidham;
J-Luis Saez. $6,960,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP-US,
8-4-2-2, $7,513,200. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), 126, h, 6, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–
Chuwa Blossom (Jpn), by Durandal (Jpn). O-Shinobu Nakanishi;
B-Northern Racing (Jpn); T-Ryuji Okubo. $2,400,000.
3–Magny Cours, 126, g, 6, Medaglia d'Oro–Indy Five Hundred,
by A.P. Indy. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Andre Fabre. $1,200,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/4.
Also Ran: Hypothetical (Ire), Salute the Soldier (Ger), Jesus' Team, Thegreatcollection, Ajuste Fiscal (Uru), Gifts of Gold (Ire), Sleepy Eyes Todd, Title Ready, Capezzano. Scratched: Great Scot (GB), Military Law (GB).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

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