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Dubai World Cup Undercard: Tragedy Amidst Winning Performances

Horses from around the world were showcased on the eight Dubai World Cup undercard races from Meydan in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday evening, but the death of Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Zenden, who suffered a catastrophic front leg injury while galloping out past the finish of the six-furlong dirt race, left a pall on the event.

Zenden, a 5-year-old who was winning a graded/group race for the first time in his 15th career start, turned in a career best performance under UAE-based jockey Antonio Fresu, going straight to the front and never seriously being threatened while winning by open lengths. He sustained the injury just after Fresu gave the horse a celebratory slap on the neck, stumbling and throwing his jockey to the ground. Fresu dodged trailing horses and escaped unharmed. In the day's finale, the Dubai World Cup, Fresu was dislodged from Military Law when that horse broke through the starting gate and ran off before being scratched.

Owned by LLP Performance Horse LLC, Zenden is trained by Carlos David, a former assistant to indicted horseman Jason Servis. David won his first race as head trainer in November 2018 and had a breakout season in 2020, winning 52 races from 231 starts (23%) while compiling earnings of $1.6 million. The $1.5-million Golden Shaheen was his first graded/group win.

Zenden began his career racing for owner Pichi Investments LLC and trainer Victor Barboza, placing second in the 2019 G3 Swale Stakes and then finishing off the board in a pair of Kentucky Derby preps. When the Kentucky-bred son of Fed Biz returned to competition that fall to win a Gulfstream Park West allowance race, he had changed hands, with Todd Pletcher listed as trainer and LLP Performance Horse as owner.

Zenden had three more starts for Pletcher in the winter of 2020, finishing fourth in the G3 Mr. Prospector Stakes, second in the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes and ninth in the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes, then went to the sidelines again.

When Zenden returned on Oct. 9, 2020, it was in the barn of David. He won a Laurel Park allowance, then ran ninth in the Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes at the Maryland track on Nov. 28. He surfaced at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 19, finishing last of 12 runners in the G3 Mr. Prospector. Zenden then was beaten a head by Edgemont Road in an allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 15. He returned to the Oldsmar track to win the listed Pelican Stakes by a head over Souper Stonehenge on Feb. 13. Zenden breezed once in the U.S. following that race, going three furlongs in :38.38 on March 6, prior to his departure for Dubai.

Following are the recaps provided by the Dubai Racing Club for each of the Dubai World Cup undercard races:

DERYAN LANDS KAHAYLA CLASSIC FOR FRANCE
French-trained Deryan (FR) broke the track record when he lifted the US$750,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored by Mubadala, the opener on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan, in 2 minutes 11.87 seconds.

Ridden by former French champion jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, the 6-year-old had secured a perfect position on the rail, just off the pace, and easily picked up the leader AF Alwajel 200m from the winning post to win by three-quarters of a length from the Ernst Oertel-trained AF Alwajel, while Mubasher Al Khalediah finished a further three and a half lengths back in third.

“He did it really well this time,” said winning trainer Didier Guillemin, who had lifted the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on the same card with The Right Man in 2017. “He was quite nervous last time when he ran in Riyadh. This time, he was much calmer and we rode him differently, a little further back. I'm extremely proud to win a Group 1 here and to win it for owner Sheikh Mansour is just amazing.”

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayan is not only the owner but also the breeder of the chestnut and wins this race for the second time after Rabbah De Carrère lifted the trophy in 2014.

For Ioritz Mendizabal it was a first victory in this dirt race and he said: “Last time in Riyadh, I was outside and he didn't gallop and relax. Today I spoke to the trainer and he said it was important, after (leaving) the gate to stop him and relax behind horses. He galloped and relaxed and after the first corner, I was in the (right spot). Turning (into the straight), I knew I would win.”

SEEMAR'S AMBITION IS TOO GOOD IN GODOLPHIN MILE
Secret Ambition (GB) hardly saw another rival when availing of a perfect front-running ride from Tadhg O'Shea in the Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One.

The Satish Seemar-trained 8-year-old made full use of his barrier position in stall 2 to lead the field from early in the race and clock a very quick time of 1:35:36 while recording a six-length success.

Secret Ambition was one of only three course and distance winners in this 15-runner renewal of the Godolphin Mile and it was another course and distance winner in Golden Goal who finished second, while Avant Garde was back in third.

O'Shea, who afterwards dedicated the success to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was keen to follow similar tactics to when the pair were impressive winners of the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan back in February and those tactics certainly paid off as the horse recorded a career best.

Winning trainer Satish Seemar said afterwards: “All week I've been saying that in this race there was no more experienced horse for this distance. At the post position draw, he was prominent in every race they would show him in the videos. He's the most deserving horse in this field and most experienced and it's perfect. With us they improve as they get older and this has worked out well. As planned, Tadhg did it by the book. This is what we live for here in our jobs. Nothing better than having a winner on this night.”

Bursting with joy after the success was jockey Tadhg O'Shea, who paid tribute to the team at Zabeel Stables.

“I'm only a small part of big team, and it's great for all the team and credit must go to them. Satish told me the other day he was the best horse in the race and how right he was,” said O'Shea.

“We tried 2000m with him last time and that didn't work. I had a lovely gate today and luckily Secret Ambition was on his best behaviour and he wasn't on the back foot jumping, so he broke well. I wanted to get to the lead if at all possible and luckily I was able to and it worked out good. I filled him up before I kicked. He went for his wind and had a nice breather, so I had plenty left and I felt if anyone came to me, he would pull out again.”

Dedicating the win to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the multiple champion jockey in Dubai added: “The whole racing world sadly lost Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum this week and I want to dedicate this to him. It was when I was champion apprentice in Ireland in 2001 that Sheikh Hamdan sponsored a trip to Dubai and I'm coming back here ever since. I have been here a long time and it wouldn't have been possible without him.”

SUBJECTIVIST TAKES GOLD FOR JOHNSTON
Last year's Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Subjectivist (GB) ended a 22-year hiatus on Dubai World Cup night for Britain's winning-most trainer of all time, Mark Johnston, with a brilliant victory in the US$750,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors.

Johnston's longstanding stable jockey Joe Fanning tracked the early leader For The Top before hitting the front around 1200m from home and powering clear to a five-and three-quarter lengths success from German-trained runner Walderbe. Away He Goes was a head further back in third. The winning time was 3:17:77.

“We've had Carnival winners but this is the first success on World Cup night for 22 years,” said Johnston, whose last success was Fruits Of Love in the 1999 Dubai Sheema Classic.

“But frankly, we hadn't been bringing the right horses. We came here today thinking surely he was the one to beat. He was a Group 1 winner on his last outing, he didn't have to improve – he just had to run up to his best.

“People doubted him on the ground but he'd just never run on anything this fast. When I walked the course I didn't think I'd seen a turf track in the world in a better condition than this.

“All the ducks were in a row and there was no reason he shouldn't run up to his best, which he has done.”

For Fanning it was a first success on Dubai World Cup night from his first mount. “He's a good horse and there was a bit of juice in that ground, which suited him,” said the jockey.“He settled well and I was always going so easy before the turn in. He stays very well. I rode him out here yesterday and thought the ground was good. I think he'll go on any surface. He's a good horse and has loads of ability and I think he's a better horse this year.”

EXTRAVAGANT AL QUOZ WIN FOR US CHALLENGER
The Brendan Walsh-trained Extravagant Kid (USA) became the first American-trained winner of the US $1m Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments when he burst through the ranks to beat the Godolphin filly Final Song by half a length, followed in third place by Acklam Express.

The field had initially split into three groups and Ryan Moore produced an inspired ride when he took the son of Kiss The Kid towards the stands' side from where he launched his attack to take the lead in the final 50m.

The 8-year-old Extravagant Kid not only created history for the USA by winning the race in 01:09:26 but also produced a personal best, as he had been placed in Graded races before but had never actually won one.

“What an unbelievable race,” said his owner David A Ross. “His trainer Brendan Walsh had a good feeling about him, he came into the race well, Brendan had him prepped well. He really liked the venue here and we thought we would take advantage. As an 8-year-old, what about that?”

Irish-born Brendan Walsh, a former assistant to Godolphin who is based in the United States, has a perfect record at Meydan where he has now won 2 races from 2 starts after the victory of Plus Que Parfait in the 2019 UAE Derby.

He said: “No credit must go to me, I just put the saddle on. My lad here looked after him and he was very pleased with him.”

And Ryan Moore, who recorded his first success in this 1200m sprint, commented: “It was a very messy race. The speed looked like it was going to be stands' side but we had to make a decision. Space Blues and Khaadem were going, they were the best horses and gave me a bit of toe. The horse ran a super race at Keeneland (in the Breeders' Cup). He is a very talented horse. You'll have to watch out for Brendan when he comes back here!”

WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT UAE DERBY WINNER REBEL'S ROMANCE
Rebel's Romance (IRE) realised the promise that his connections hoped he would when the son of Dubawi ran out an emphatic winner of the US $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, ridden by William Buick and carrying the familiar blue colours of Godolphin, Rebel's Romance opened up a world of opportunities for himself when coming from off the pace to reel in the front-running Panadol and draw an impressive five and a half lengths clear as they flashed past the winning post.

It was a first UAE Derby success for Appleby and Buick and a first success on the night for Godolphin. Charlie Appleby admitted talk of a possible tilt at the Kentucky Derby next was “a nice conversation to be having” after Rebel's Romance put his first career defeat in Saudi Arabia behind him in the best possible fashion and looks set to be a horse who will write many more headlines in 2021.

This UAE Derby success certainly looks set to be a springboard to a bright future for Rebel's Romance with Appleby saying after the race: “We'll be working back from the Dubai World Cup next year” when speaking about future plans.

Reflecting on his latest big race win on Dubai World Cup night, Appleby said: “He is still very much a work in progress and he looked much better tonight than he did in Saudi Arabia. I think the biggest attribute to him today is that he was going to stay. We were always confident he was going to stay. Stepping up in trip was going to be his forte.”

Rebel's Romance had won both his starts in Britain on the all-weather surfaces at Newcastle and then Kempton late last year before beginning a lucrative campaign by winning the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial at Meydan back in January.

Appleby continued: “We've all seen year-in and year-out here, you can't do well with your European horses until they start racing on [dirt]. It's invaluable the experience they gain on it and he had his two starts on the surface and it was always our plan. When you see your horses wide on the back of that turn, you start to worry, but he was always travelling so well into it. Down the back straight I saw half of them coming under the pump and I thought 'don't worry, he's just coming good at the right time now.' It's great for the team. Most importantly it's good for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who has a lovely horse win on Dubai World Cup night. I'm just delighted we've managed to put one into the back of the net.”

Buick said: “I was always where I thought I would be. He breaks a little bit slow, so I never thought I would be up there. He doesn't have much speed early and I was quite happy with the draw because I knew I could control where I would be and I did. Once I got out, he just bolted. I was a little bit worried I was getting there a little early; a little too quick, but that was some performance tonight. He's really come on and he's a big horse, but he's still a shell. He really knows how to use his power now.”

POIGNANT WIN FOR ZENDEN IN GOLDEN SHAHEEN
American raider Zenden (USA) ran out a brilliant victor of the US $1.5m Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News but there was a sad postscript when the winner suffered a fatal injury after the finishing post.

Winning Rider Antonio Fresu was unshipped from the horse although he was able to walk away after the fall.

A first Dubai winner for trainer Carlos David, the Fed Biz entire came to the race on the back of a successful prep run at Tampa in Florida. He looked to have an unfavourable draw in 14 of 14 but Fresu made a swift move early in the race to take a rail position and they were soon leading the field.

Zenden powered clear of his competition as he turned into the home straight, eventually winning by three and a quarter lengths.

Red Le Zele, trained by Japanese handler Takayuki Yasuda, finished second. The Doug Watson-trained Canvassed was two and three-quarter lengths further back in third. The winning time was 01:09:01.

LORD NORTH RULES SUPREME IN DUBAI TURF
The stands might not have been filled as usual at Meydan, but that didn't stop Frankie Dettori from making his traditional flying dismount after the John Gosden-trained Lord North (IRE) lifted the US $4m Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World in great style.

As expected, First Contact had gone to the lead in this 1800m race, while Dettori had positioned his son of Dubawi one off the rail towards the back of the field.

Coming out of the final bend, he kicked on and Lord North responded immediately, absolutely flying home all the way to the line to beat Japanese raider Vin De Garde, who produced a very good performance himself, by three lengths, while the Marco Botti-trained Felix finished an excellent third.

It was an impressive reappearance by the 2020 Prince of Wales's Stakes winner at Royal Ascot and Thady Gosden, who has just entered a training partnership with his father John, said: “We were always hoping he would run well as he was in brilliant form out here. But he definitely put that race to bed very well from pretty far back. We will take him home now and then maybe give him a break and target the race he won last year at Ascot.”

Dettori, who was recording his second victory in the race that he won last in 1997 with Tamayaz, was equally impressed with the performance of the 5-year-old, who won the race in 01:46:46.

He said: “It was a nice pace. I had plenty of horse and I know he stays really well. So I kicked early and he flew. I didn't do much else after that, he did the rest.”

Owned by HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing, the 5-year-old made his debut in handicaps before graduating all the way up to Group 1 level and his jockey added: “He was a handful in the early days, so he got gelded and he is much more focussed now. He is a horse for all the good races this year. I'm sure the Gosdens will have a plan.”

VERSATILE MISHRIFF ADDS LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC TO GROWING PORTFOLIO
Meydan's commentator Craig Evans predicted a “crackerjack of a finish” as the runners turned for home in the US $5m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and he certainly wasn't wrong as Mishriff (IRE) came from the widest starting point and from behind the entire field to see off the challenge of the Japanese pair of Chrono Genesis and Loves Only You in a vintage renewal of the Group 1 race.

Mishriff, confidently ridden by 21-year-old David Egan, was completing a unique double by adding the showpiece 2410m event to the Saudi Cup he claimed last month and showed an admirable versatility on the Meydan turf for trainer John Gosden and his son Thady.

Two necks separated the first three horses home as Mishriff showed great courage to oblige and Gosden added his name to the roll of honour for a third time following the 2010 victory of Dar Re Mi and the 2017 success of Jack Hobbs. The winning time was 2:26:65.

The Prince Faisal-owned Mishriff's quest for more big race honours will now turn to Europe for the summer, where he will attempt to add to his win in last year's Prix du Jockey Club, while for the Gosden family, it was a memorable double on the night following Lord North's Dubai Turf win.

Mishriff's jockey David Egan, a former champion apprentice in Britain, was unsurprisingly full of praise for his willing partner. Reflecting on the latest major win in his short career and looking to the future months Egan said: “This horse has brought me to the next level by winning the Saudi Cup and this is just the icing on the cake. After winning the mile and a half around here hopefully he will have an exciting summer campaign around Europe.

“He's a champion. It was a strong battle inside the final two furlongs. I was just glad I was able to do my job and get him to settle and we know he's got an immense turn of foot. He showed that in Riyadh. I thought he had to dig deep today in the final furlong. I thought he was going to curl up on me, but it just shows how good he is. Over 12 (furlongs), if he's ridden with restraint and put in a rhythm, he could be deadly in Europe this year.”

Thady Gosden, who just this week joined his father John as a joint licence holder in Britain, said: “We thought before the race that if he was too 'on it' the whole way around, it wouldn't be good to send him up there to get position and that would be for the worst. So David just dropped him in there, where he's relaxed, and David just switched him off beautifully.

“He made his move when he had to around the bend and (David) gave him such a brilliant ride to get him to the line. He's such a tough horse and he's shown his versatility. He's a brilliant horse and obviously really talented. Hats off to everyone at home. They do all the hard work and take care of these horses every day doing such a fantastic job.”

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Saez Guides Mystic Guide To Dubai World Cup For Godolphin, Stidham

The U.S.-based Ghostzapper 4-year-old colt Mystic Guide proved superior in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup from Meydan in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday night, winning the $12-million race easily under Luis Saez for Dubai-based owner-breeder Godolphin and American trainer Michael Stidham.

Japan's Chuwa Wizard finished second, with another Godolphin homebred, French-trained Magny Cours third, Irish-bred/Dubai-trained Hypothetical fourth and German-bred/Dubai-trained Salute the Soldier fifth in the field of 12.

There were two late scratches that delayed the running of the race. Great Scot ran off during the post parade and Military Law broke through the starting gate and ran off.

Time of the 1 1/4-mile race on dirt was 2:01.62. Mystic Guide, favored in the wagering, paid $5.50 to win, $2.20 to place and $3.30 to show in the U.S.

Hypothetical led the way from the start, with Saez and Mystic Guide racing in third while in the clear to the pacesetter's outside. Saez made his move to the lead with just over a quarter of a mile remaining, and the result never seemed in doubt from that point forward.

The victory was the fourth in eight career starts for Mystic Guide, who was coming off a six-length victory in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn on Feb. 27 in his 2021 debut. Produced from the A.P. Indy mare, Music Note, Mystic Guide did not race as a 2-year-old and won the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga for his only stakes victory as a 3-year-old. He finished his year with a second-place finish to Happy Saver in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, beaten three-quarters of a length.

This was Godolphin's ninth win in the 25 runnings of the Dubai World Cup and third in a row, having won in 2018 and '19 with Thunder Snow. The 2020 renewal was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Weekend Lineup Presented By Sky Racing: Blockbuster Saturday Features Action From Dubai, Three Derby Preps

A total of three Kentucky Derby qualifying races each offering a total of 170 points are scheduled for Saturday with the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks taking place at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park, respectively, while the Group 2 UAE Derby is part of the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse.

The UAE Derby precedes the Dubai World Cup, a $12 million test that has drawn U.S.-based horses Mystic Guide, Jesus' Team, Sleepy Eyes Todd, and Title Ready.

The Florida Derby will be televised by NBC Sports as part of their “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series during a program airing on NBCSN and beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

The UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup will be televised on the NYRA-produced America's Day at the Races show presented by Claiborne Farm and America's Best Racing as part of the Saturday broadcast. Coverage of the Dubai World Cup undercard, featuring six stakes races, will air live from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on FS1. The 'Golden Hour' telecast, featuring live coverage of the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Group 1 Dubai World Cup, will air from noon-1 p.m. on FS1.

Fans of Australian racing can wager with confidence on Friday night's rescheduled Golden Slipper (Group 1) card in Sydney, as drying conditions were expected across the second half of this week. And, if every cloud has a silver lining, the Rosehill program boasts even more star power after fields were redrawn for the four other G1 races on the card. The “Slipper” card is available to stream on the new Sky Racing World App and will be broadcast live on TVG (First Post: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT).

America's Day at the Races will also broadcast Saturday from 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET with coverage for the first half hour on FS2 before shifting to FS1 from 3-4:30 p.m. FS2 will pick up coverage from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday's broadcast will air stakes action from all four tracks, led by the Florida Derby.

Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks will be televised on TVG as part of their usual comprehensive racing coverage.

TVG will be live from Gulfstream Park with expanded coverage of the Florida Derby card. Fans of international racing can also tune in at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT as coverage of the Dubai World Cup card begins.

In addition to racing from Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Turfway Park, TVG will feature racing from Oaklawn Park, Aqueduct and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

Saturday, March 27

10:05 a.m.—$750,000 Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse on FS1 and TVG

Trainer Doug O'Neill's barn will be represented in the UAE Derby with Ambivalent, who broke his maiden in his seventh career start last month by 1 ½ lengths in a turf race at Santa Anita Park. The son of Constitution placed third in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar last November and will be making his fifth appearance against stakes company when he goes to post Saturday.

Entries: http://www.dubairacingclub.com/race/racing-info/racecards

12:50 p.m.—$12,000,000 Group 1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on FS1 and TVG

Multiple graded stakes winner Mystic Guide heads up the American contingent aiming to conquer the Dubai World Cup over 2,000 meters (about 1 ¼-miles). Owned and bred by Godolphin and trained by Michael Stidham, Mystic Guide comes into the $12 million Dubai World Cup off a victory in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park on February 27. The son of Ghostzapper won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes last season and capped his sophomore campaign with a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last October.

Entries: http://www.dubairacingclub.com/race/racing-info/racecards

1:57 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

Multiple turf stakes winner Seismic Wave, unraced in five months, is set to launch his 5-year-old campaign running first time for new connections in Saturday's one-mile Appleton Stakes. Seismic Wave had three wins in 16 starts for Juddmonte Farms and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott before fetching $60,000 at Keeneland's November 2020 breeding stock sale from the partnership of Michael Dubb, Nice Guys Stables and Bethlehem Stables. In two previous starts at Gulfstream, Seismic Wave broke his maiden and captured the Cutler Bay by a neck on the Florida Derby undercard in successive efforts to open his 2019 season.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA6-EQB.html

2:57 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

Salerno Stables and Madaket Stables LLC's War Stopper will seek to earn graded stakes credentials in Saturday's Ghostzapper with a return to action at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of Declaration of War demonstrated a distinct fondness for the Gulfstream racing surface while winning back-to-back optional claiming allowances earlier in the 2020-2021 Championship Meeting. The Todd Pletcher trainee ventured to Tampa Bay Downs, where he didn't flash his natural early speed while racing evenly to finish third in the March 6 Grade 3 Challenger.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA8-EQB.html

4:09 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

Four years after earning the first graded-stakes victory of his long career in the same race, Woodslane Farm's Grade 1 winner Sadler's Joy returns looking to snap a nine-race losing streak in Saturday's Pan American Stakes. Now 8, Sadler's Joy won the Pan American in 2017 and was fourth in 2018, but did not run in either of the past two years as trainer Tom Albertrani has looked to spread out his stable star's races. The Kitten's Joy gelding has started once this year, closing to be fourth by 2 ¼ lengths in the 1 ½-mile Grade 3 W.L. McKnight Stakes January 23.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA10-EQB.html

5:17 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks at Gulfstream Park on FS2 and TVG

Trainer Kenny McPeek will be on a quest to win back-to-back runnings of the Gulfstream Park Oaks when he saddles Crazy Beautiful for the 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Last year, McPeek saddled Swiss Skydiver for a 9-1 upset victory in the Gulfstream Park Oaks that would set the tone for an Eclipse Award-winning campaign. Crazy Beautiful is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream in February. The daughter of Liam's Map rallied from well off the pace in her 2021 debut to finish a distant second to going-away winner Wholebodemeister.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA12-EQB.html

5:55 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

He's had a quiet Championship Meet by his standards, with seven wins from 54 starters, but trainer Christophe Clement is hoping to make some noise with European import Sorrel (Ire) in the Orchid Stakes. Bred in Ireland by owners George Strawbridge and James Wigan, Sorrel will be making her first North American start in the Orchid. The 4-year-old daughter of Group 3 winner and five-time Group 1-placed Dansili comes in on a three-race win streak, all at 1 ½ miles or more, the most recent October 29.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA13-EQB.html

6:25 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park on FS2 and TVG

Joseph P. Morey Trust's Hush of a Storm, along with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber's Grade 1-winning colt Gretzky the Great top a field of 12 3-year-olds that were entered in the 50th running of the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Hush of a Storm was the 1 ½-length winner of the February 26 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, the local prep for the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Hush of a Storm is a perfect 3-for-3 over the Tapeta surface at Turfway.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/TP032721USA11-EQB.html

6:40 p.m.—$750,000 Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on NBCSN, FS2 and TVG

Courtlandt Farms' Greatest Honour will have a lot going for him in Saturday's Florida Derby as the 3-year-old son of Tapit has shown a distinct fondness for the Gulfstream Park racetrack, over which he has won all three of his races. Greatest Honour, who followed up a December 26 maiden score with victories in the January 30 Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and the February 27 Grade 2 Fountain of Youth was installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. After graduating by 1 ¼ lengths, the Kentucky-bred colt employed a furious stretch run to win by 5 ¾ lengths in the Holy Bull. Five lengths back in mid-stretch, Greatest Honour unleashed an eye-catching surge to catch frontrunner Drain the Clock and go on to score by 1 ½ lengths.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP032721USA14-EQB.html

8:25 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

George Krikorian's multiple graded stakes winning homebred Mucho Unusual heads a solid field of eight older fillies and mares in Saturday's Santa Ana Stakes. A two-time graded stakes winner at the current meeting for trainer Tim Yakteen, Mucho Unusual, a 5-year-old mare by Mucho Macho Man, comes off a solid second going one mile on turf behind rising star Charmaine's Mia in the Grade II Buena Vista on February 20 and will appreciate the additional quarter mile on Saturday.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA032721USA9-EQB.html

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International Challengers Battle For The Cup

Saturday's $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup may lack the star power of past renewals, but with 14 runners signed on from six countries for the race's 25th renewal it is nonetheless a fascinating event that has the potential to crown a new headliner, the most obvious being Godolphin's American shipper Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper). Trained by Michael Stidham, Mystic Guide broke his maiden by five lengths at second asking last March, and despite the American Triple Crown being re-arranged by the Covid-19 pandemic connections took a patient approach. Mystic Guide picked up placings in allowance company and the GIII Peter Pan S. before winning the 1800-metre GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga, with the re-opposing Jesus' Team (Tapiture) back in third, and he split Happy Saver (Super Saver) and Tacitus (Tapit) when three-quarters of a length second in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup over this trip in October. Reappearing at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27, Mystic Guide put in the breakout performance he'd long promised to, traveling wide throughout over a sloppy course in the GIII Razorback H. and winning by six lengths under Luis Saez, who partners him again on Saturday. They will break from gate six.

Stidham was on course to watch Mystic Guide gallop and gate school at Meydan on Friday morning, and he said, “he just has flourished here. Every day I've been watching his weight and seeing if his coat was changing, but he's been perfect. I'm amazed at how well he's taking all of this.

“It's an honour and a privilege to be here and especially [with] a horse for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on the 25th anniversary. It could not be better and we just can't wait to get on the racetrack. Going a mile and a quarter, I would love to see him break well and be forward and be in a comfortable stalking position, depending on how fast they're going in front of him. Luis Saez certainly handled him well at Oaklawn and got along well with him. I'm happy to have him back.”

Jesus' Team embarked on a Classic campaign after his defeat in the Jim Dandy, running third behind the subsequent champion 3-year-olds Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and Authentic (Into Mischief) in the GI Preakness S. He rode the rail and rallied into a fast pace to finish second to the blazing Knicks Go (Paynter) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, and got his head back in front when winning a non-black type race at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 5. Jesus' Team put in a career-best performance when traveling wide but finishing fast to be second again to Knicks Go in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 23, and Knicks Go's regular rider Joel Rosario gets aboard for the first time on Saturday, when they will leave gate nine.

“I like the post position because Jesus can find a good spot to make an aggressive move in the first part,” said trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo. “I asked Bob Baffert and my friend Chad Summers about preparation. They are familiar with the environment here. I took their advice and made my plan. All horses are different, and need different things to get ready. Jesus is coming into this race perfectly.”

Breaking one to Jesus' Team's outside is compatriot Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado), who won the GII Charles Town Classic going 1800 metres last summer and the Lafayette S. and GIII Mr. Prospector H. going seven furlongs later in the season. Sleepy Eyes Todd was fourth in the Pegasus and fifth in the Saudi Cup on Feb. 20 and has a shot to hit the board at longer odds.

“He looks very good right now. He hasn't missed a meal since we got here. He's in really good shape,” said Sleepy Eyes Todd's trainer Migel Angel Silva. “I'm not nervous because he's the kind of horse that doesn't make you nervous. He always gives you 100%. With some other horses you don't always know how they are going to run; this guy always gives it all. It gives you confidence.”

Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) is the leading local hope off back-to-back wins in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 and G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, and though his chances were not helped when drawing gate 11, he has shown enough versatility to set the pace or race off it and connections will be hoping he can use his gate speed to exit swiftly and establish a good position on the run into the first turn. The 6-year-old gelding broke on top and led gate to wire in Round 3 on Super Saturday to post a convincing win in his first try over 2000 metres, while four weeks prior he had stalked the pace before getting up late to take Round 2 over 1900 metres. Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was a game second in Round 3 off a win in a mile handicap in February.

“The draw could have been kinder but the horse is in great form and his final piece of serious work was very pleasing,” said regular rider Adrie de Vries. “When he works well he normally runs well so let's hope that is the case again.”

Salute The Soldier was beaten by Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on opening night of the carnival in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 going a mile, with that 6-year-old gelding posting an eye-catching victory before running a tame sixth in the Saudi Cup. Military Law is drawn favourably in five.

“We have a good horse in Military Law,” said trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri. “He is honest and works hard and has always shown us that in training. A good draw has improved his chances and we could not have asked for a better spot. We will look for a good break and for [jockey] Antonio Fresu to get him into a good spot just off the pace so that he can give himself a good chance at the finish.”

Another exiting the Saudi Cup with claims is the former G3 Superior Mile victor and now Saudi-trained Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), who outran his chances to be third at Riyadh behind Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Charlatan (Speightstown). Great Scot had beat just two home in the prior year's inaugural Saudi Cup, but had looked a different proposition running on the local circuit last year, winning three straight races in the interim. He has drawn the rail for his Dubai debut, and Frankie Dettori in the saddle is a big plus.

Japanese challengers can never be ignored on the world stage, and the island nation fields December's G1 Champions Cup victor Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) here. Chuwa Wizard was 2 1/2 lengths the best on that occasion after finishing third on consecutive outings behind local dirt star Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}), but made no impact when ninth in the Saudi Cup. Andre Fabre sends out Godolphin's Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), who rides a three-race win streak. He beat none other than Persian King (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}) in listed contests last summer and enjoyed a smooth preparation in a Chantilly conditions race over the all-weather on Mar. 2. He makes his dirt debut here but will not be helped by gate 12.

The Dubai World Cup is the last of eight races for Thoroughbreds on the Meydan card, which is worth a cumulative $26.5-million.

Classy International Challenge For Sheema

In a year in which travel restrictions may well have taken their toll on the line-up for the Dubai World Cup card as a whole, the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic has exerted the greatest pulling power and boasts a field featuring some of the best turf horses from Japan, America, Britain and Ireland.

With $5-million in prize-money on offer, the 2400-metre contest has attracted the classy Japanese mare Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), who makes her first appearance outside her home country following two Grade 1 victories in 2020, including the traditional Christmas feature, the Arima Kinen. Trained by Takashi Saito, the 5-year-old grey will face perhaps the stiffest competition from a pair of 4-year-old colts from Ireland and Britain. Ballydoyle's challenger Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) will be seeking to build on his victory in the G1 Hong Kong Vase which set the seal on a busy 3-year-old season: he also won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G3 Gordon S., having finished sixth in the Derby.

Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) arrived in Dubai this week having returned to Newmarket temporarily following his victory in the $20-million Saudi Cup on Feb. 20. Winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club last season, he is stepping up in distance for the first time, though the switch back to turf from the Riyadh dirt will not be an issue. A win for either Mishriff or Lord North (GB) in the Dubai Turf would also provide an exciting big-race triumph for Thady Gosden on his second day training in partnership with his father John.

“He's been to Saudi and back and has taken the travelling well,” said Thady Gosden, who is overseeing Mishriff in Dubai. “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 2400 metres tomorrow will be different but it's a lovely galloping track at Meydan and this will give us a pointer of where to go for the rest of the season. He relaxes well in a race, even though he has a lot of natural speed.”

Strength in depth is provided by the Bill Mott-trained Channel Maker (English Channel), who travelled directly to Meydan following his second-place finish in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh. The extra distance of the Sheema Classic will suit America's champion turf horse.

Mott's assistant trainer Neil Poznansky, who rides the 7-year-old every morning, said on Friday, “He hasn't missed a beat. If anything he's better than he was in Saudi Arabia. He's always bright and alert and is always looking at stuff. Every day is a new day with him.”

The strong Japanese challenge in Dubai is augmented by the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), winner of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in 2019. She bounced back from a disappointing run in the Arima Kinen to win the G2 Kyoto Kinen on Feb. 14.

Two of Godolphin's three Sheema Classic entries feature good recent Meydan form: Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) finished first and second in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold over course and distance on Super Saturday, but they face much stronger opposition now.

Pointing North

John and Thady Gosden posted a first winner with their first runner as a training partnership at Lingfield on Friday and Lord North (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could take the new arrangement to another level when he lines up for the G1 Dubai Turf.

Winner of the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot last year, the 5-year-old, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, disappointed in the G1 Champion S. back at the same track on very soft ground in October. He was last seen finishing a good fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf back on firm going in Kentucky.

“He seems to love his racing and has a very good mind,” said Thady Gosden at Meydan. “He came out last year for three days when the meeting was cancelled due to Covid but he's been in similar form so we thought we'd bring him out. Hopefully he can run well.”

Lord North should have the upper hand over David O'Meara's popular veteran Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper). The 8-year-old has had a profitable winter in Dubai, winning two of his three starts including the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday, in which he finished less than a length in front of the third-placed Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Much of the form coming into the Dubai Turf centres on that race, with six of the first seven home all lining up again. The strong late rally of Lord Glitters narrowly denied Shadwell's Eqtiraan (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), who would be a poignant big-race winner in Dubai in the week in which the country mourns Sheikh Hamdan. In a blanket finish, Art Du Val (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Court House (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) took fourth and fifth, with First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in seventh.

Japanese raiders should never be overlooked at Meydan and the country's sole contender in the Dubai Turf is Vin De Garde (Jpn), representing trainer Hideaki Fujiwara. The 5-year-old son of Deep Impact (Jpn), who is making his first appearance outside Japan in this $4-million contest for the Shadai Horse Race Co Ltd, warmed up for his trip with a fourth-place finish in last month's G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai over 1600 metres. The most recent of his five wins came in the G2 Fuji S. last October.

Oisin Murphy takes the ride on the Marco Botti-trained Felix (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the recent G3 Winter Derby runner-up on Lingfield's synthetic track. He needs to take a big step forward to be competitive here but his trainer has a good record when racing horses internationally.

Yaupon Leads American Challenge For Golden Shaheen

The $1.5-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen–in its conventional dirt runnings–has been largely dominated by U.S.-based gallopers, as those trained in the States have annexed four of the last five renewals and a dozen overall. Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Yaupon (Uncle Mo) will look to bounce back from a disappointing eighth-place effort as the favorite in the

GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November while making his 4-year-old debut Saturday evening.

The Steve Asmussen trainee shot into national prominence last summer, winning his first four trips to the races, including a victory in the GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga in August, where he had 'TDN Rising Star' Premier Star (Tapiture) four lengths back in third. An easy winner of the GIII Chick Lang S. Oct. 1, he was unable to flaunt his trademark speed from a high draw and was beaten over six lengths in the finish. His trackwork at his winter base at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans has been strong, but there are hurdles to overcome as one of the betting choices in the Shaheen.

Wildman Jack (Goldencents) made history at the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival, becoming the first American-trained horse to win on the turf at Meydan, taking out the G3 Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint in impressive fashion. A date in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint was dashed by COVID-19 and he returns here as a dirt horse, having posted a convincing victory in the GIII Palos Verdes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 23. He could help fuel what appears to be a high-octane pace.

Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) carries a two-race winning streak into the Shaheen. The 6-year-old annexed a course-and-distance handicap during the Carnival Feb. 4 and was most recently able to reel in Good Effort (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal S. on Super Saturday. The latter set a searching gallop on that occasion to just miss, and Frankie Dettori can be expected to use that speed from the inside barrier in the Shaheen.

Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) led home a Japanese-trained 1-2 finish in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 20, charging home down the centre of the track beneath William Buick to hand Matera Sky (Speightstown) a second consecutive narrow defeat in the race. The Japanese contingent is rounded out by Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Red Le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), first and second, respectively, in the G3 Capella S. last December.

Switzerland (Speightstown), formerly based in the U.S. with Asmussen before arriving in Dubai in 2019, returned from a 10 1/2-month absence and a gelding procedure to win the G3 Dubawi S. Jan. 21, but failed to take advantage of a perfect trip in the Riyadh Sprint and could do no better than fourth.

Quartet In Blue for Al Quoz

Godolphin holds a strong hand in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint with last-out winners Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and the former looks to extend his win streak to six for trainer Charlie Appleby. Space Blues was a straightforward winner of the stc 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard, and that came off the back of a career-best score in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest on Aug. 9. Space Blues has run just once previously at Meydan, when a non-threatening seventh in last year's G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.

Last year's Listed UAE 1000 Guineas and Saudi Derby third Final Song got her head in front for the first time in 14 months-and the verdict was, indeed, a head over Motafaawit (Ire) (Intikhab {Ire})-in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday, but her jockey on that day, Frankie Dettori, jumps ship in favour of Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), winner of the G2 Meydan Sprint and Dubai Dash this carnival. Last year's G1 King's Stand S. second was eye-catching on those occasions, but it is worth keeping in mind that he is one for six over this six-furlong trip.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said of Final Song, “She's a tough filly and can hold her own against the colts. She won her last race and came out of it in good shape. The filly is doing really well and went nicely in her last piece of work. We're looking forward to a good run from her.”

In addition to Space Blues, Charlie Appleby fields Man Of Promise (Into Mischief), who beat Final Song by three lengths when winning the Dubai Sprint on Feb. 4, and Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal), winner of the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis last summer over subsequent Group 1 winner Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) but who could manage only sixth in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, when Appley said he needed the run. “He had a progressive profile in 2020, was in need of his first run in Dubai and has come forward for it,” Appleby said. “If he produces the best of his form he should make a good account of himself.”

Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), like Equilateral trained by Charlie Hills, is one of two runners here for the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Khaadem has not been seen since last summer, when he was fourth in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 July Cup. The Steve Asmussen-trained 3-year-old Cowan (Kantharos) will be aiming for a better break after rallying to finish second in the Saudi Derby. Cowan has not won since breaking his maiden last May but has been placed his last six outings. He returns to the turf and drops back down in trip despite not having won over the surface in three tries last autumn.

The formerly Dubai-based Brendan Walsh enjoyed a first win at this fixture in 2019 with Plus Que Parfait (Point Of Entry) in the G2 UAE Derby, and he sends out the 114-rated Extravagant Kid (Kiss The Kid), who has been runner-up in his last three tries in listed company and who gets the services of Ryan Moore.

Intrigue Abounds In Wide-Open UAE Derby

Saturday's G2 UAE Derby has a little bit of everything. A champion from Uruguay, Japanese visitors and a pair of fillies trying the boys. It all makes for a wildly interesting race that will challenge the most skilled handicappers, with formlines from here, there and everywhere to synthesize.

That aforementioned champion is El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}), winner of three of his four starts in Montevideo, including the Gran Premio Nacional (Uruguayan Derby) last November. Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes {Arg}) won the same race in 2005 before taking his lone career defeat in the 2006 UAE Derby. El Patriota has already done what the future U.S. Horse of the Year could not, namely, winning a race in the Emirates when besting the U.S. Triple Crown entry Speight'spercomete (Speightstown) in the Al Bastakiya Trial Jan. 28. He overcame a wide trip from a terrible draw and 10-pound weight concession in the process on that occasion, but was only third, with Speight'spercomete second, behind the free-wheeling Panadol (Flatter) in the Listed Al Bastakiya S. Mar. 6.

Mnasek (Empire Maker) will be well-supported to become the first of her sex to best male rivals since Khawlah (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in 2011. Bred similarly to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), the daughter of GSW Washington Bridge (Yankee Gentleman) bombed the start of her seven-furlong debut Dec. 17, but recovered to graduate by a widening 6 3/4 lengths. She could not overcome another slow dispatch in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Jan. 28, finishing a distant second to the re-opposing Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but was on her best gate behavior when storming home to take the Feb. 18 G3 UAE Oaks Feb. 18.

Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) contributed to a big day for Japan on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 20, staying on gamely to win the Saudi Derby over G1 Al Quoz Sprint hopeful Cowan (Kantharos) in his dirt debut, with New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) third and Soft Whisper fifth. Despite that valuable success, he may not be his country's best chance. Triple Crown nominee France Go de Ina (Will Take Charge) was fourth on sprint debut at Tokyo Nov. 7, but has since posted a pair of front-running wins going nine panels over Japan's deep dirt tracks. Joel Rosario has been lured to ride.

Mouheeb (Flatter) scored on his Jebel Ali debut Dec. 18 and just missed to Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Jan. 14. He narrowly bested Meshakel (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas Feb. 4, but the latter failed to flatter the form when well beaten in the Saudi Derby.

The UAE Derby offers 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on a 100-40-20-10 scale. Seven of the last eight UAE Derby winners have made the trip to Kentucky.

Subjectivist Takes On His Elders

It is the youngest horse in the field that is the most intriguing of the 11 runners for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup. Having won the G3 March S. last autumn, Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) was given a Classic assignment that found him wanting when he finished more than eight lengths behind Galileo Chrome (Ire) in the St Leger. He did, however, redeem himself on his final start of 2020 on the heavy turf of Longchamp when winning the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, providing one half of a Group 1 double in the same weekend for his trainer Mark Johnston.

Speaking at Meydan on Friday morning, Johnston said, “I could not be happier with how he looks. I don't want to get carried away based on that alone but it is reassuring. I've been happy with his work here, it could not have been easier. Joe Fanning has ridden him a few times at home and he is full of confidence and says he feels well. We have all of our ducks in a row and all we can do now is hope that it pans out.”

The Meydan turf will have nowhere near as much give as Longchamp in October but the 4-year-old will almost certainly lay down a strong challenge to his older opponents led by Godolphin's Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). The latter has been winless since striking over course and distance 13 months ago but, following a light campaign in Europe last season, he had a hit out in Riyadh, finishing third to fellow Godolphin runner Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the Red Sea Turf H. The winner, rather surprisingly, is declared for the Dubai World Cup, but Secret Advisor will reoppose the horse that split the two in royal blue in Saudi, Team Valor's Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}). The fourth and fifth-placed horses that day, Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) and Making Miracles (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), will also be lining up.

Despite Gifts Of Gold being rerouted, Saeed Bin Suroor will be represented by three runners in the Gold Cup. The trio is comprised of Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}), who has been in good form during the Carnival and has the services of Frankie Dettori, and Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), who triumphed over course and distance when winning the G3 Nad Al Sheba trophy last month. The third, Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven's Pass), a Group 1-winning 2-year-old in his heyday, has failed to build on that over the last two seasons and has never been tested beyond 10 furlongs. Now five, he will be ridden by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, while Christophe Soumillon completes the starry bookings and will be the partner of Volcanic Sky.

Midnight Looms Large In Mile

The G2 Godolphin Mile is the opening Thoroughbred race on the card, and Midnight Sands (Speightstown) looms large off a smooth 2 1/4-length victory in the G3 Burj Nahaar over course and distance on Super Saturday. Midnight Sands has a definite affinity for Meydan-he won five straight races across the 2019 and 2020 carnivals before spending last summer in America in what turned out to be a fruitless campaign.

Doug Watson, who saddles Midnights Sands as well as the Burj Nahaar fourth Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), said, “Midnight Sands just loves it at Meydan on the dirt and worked really well on Monday. He is drawn eight which is ideal so, fingers crossed, he goes there Saturday with plenty in his favour. We expect a big run.

“Draw six looks a positive for Golden Goal because he never found any cover on Super Saturday when he ran well given the way things panned out. He has always been a horse we have really liked and there is plenty of ability there so we hope he is going to at least be competitive.”

Another black-type winner over track and trip this carnival is Satish Seemar's evergreen 8-year-old Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who has won or placed in seven of his last eight starts. Secret Ambition won the G3 Firebreak S. by 3 3/4 lengths on Feb. 4 and was fifth when trying a mile and a quarter and Group 1 company in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday and has drawn well in two, with the former Richard Hannon-trained Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) one to his outside. That 5-year-old was purchased by Saudi connections for 320,000gns at last year's Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale after finishing fourth behind Wichita (Ire), One Master (GB) and Molatham (GB) in the G2 Park S. in September, and he was beaten a length when third behind Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the stc 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard. Oisin Murphy picks up the ride on the bay, who tries dirt for the first time. “Urban Icon had very strong form in the UK and ran a super race on turf last time,” Murphy said. “I'm really looking forward to riding him, it's a great ride to pick up. Let's see how he takes to the dirt; it's a good opportunity.”

Parsimony (Dominus), Avant Garde (Tonalist) and Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) ship in from America. The Grade I-placed Snapper Sinclair won at first asking this prep on Feb. 4, while Avant Garde and Parsimony each posted a career-best Beyer (98 and 93, respectively) when each finishing second in their last outings.

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