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Americans In Dubai: Bigger, Badder Wildman Jack Takes On Top Dirt Sprinters

In 2020, Wildman Jack was riding high off an outstanding Dubai World Cup Carnival season, topped by a crushing of the 1200m (six-furlong) turf track record in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.

Heading into last year's course and distance Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint as one of the main contenders, the joy ride came to an abrupt halt when the Dubai World Cup was cancelled. Fast-forward through 12 months of pandemic pandemonium and the horse is back in the UAE with a second chance at a first Dubai World Cup night impression.

This time, the Doug O'Neill trainee arrives as a newly discovered multi-surface star, having dominated a key prep for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News, the Grade 3 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita on the dirt.

Nine Palos Verdes winners have gone on to Dubai's top dirt sprint, including winners Big Jag and Kinsale King, runner-ups Men's Exclusive, Avanzado, Friendly Island and Euroears and third-place finisher Roy H.

“It's so nice being back,” said Leandro Mora, longtime O'Neill assistant. “I love being back here and loved spending last winter here. It's pure gold for us.

“We ran him two times on dirt back in the States and he won the last time and ran a really nice race, so that's what made the decision to run here (in the Dubai Golden Shaheen in lieu of the Al Quoz Sprint).

“When he was training on dirt here (last year), we thought he could handle it really well because his workouts were sizzling fast.”

Despite being a keen horse, full of energy, the Glenn Sorgenstein-owned son of Goldencents is reportedly quite content being back in Dubai.

“Any horse who lands on the other side of the world who eats well, sleeps well and trains happy, that means the horse likes the environment,” Mora continued. “He's a much better horse than last year when we brought him over here. He was a young horse last year and he has matured and now takes everything in stride. He's about 50kgs heavier than he was last year.”

Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday for the 1200m (six-furlong) dirt dash. A victory would give O'Neill his first Shaheen, but Leandro his second, as he was the assistant to Tim Pinfield when Big Jag won in 2000 with a spectacular performance at Nad Al Sheba. O'Neill won the 2007 Godolphin Mile with Spring At Last and has been second twice in this race, with the aforementioned Avanzado and champion American sprinter Thor's Echo.

“Big Jag was an amazing horse and I love coming here for these races,” Mora explained. “I hope Jack runs well. He's doing great and the post does not matter with him. He can be inside or outside.

“Like any Californian or American sprinter, we love to be outside, but I don't think it will be a factor for him if he's inside. I haven't checked much about the competition, really, but you have to respect the winner of the local prep (Canvassed). Any horse who has runs that fast at Meydan is going to keep on running fast. That would be the one I would worry about. Otherwise, I think we have a very good chance with Wildman Jack.”

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International Group 1 Winner Mogul A Strong Lone Entry For Coolmore On Dubai World Cup Night

Ballydoyle's blue-blooded multiple Group 1 winner Mogul comes into this Saturday's Group 1, $5 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in top form, but it seems no matter his success, expectations persist. A $4.6 million yearling purchase, the Aidan O'Brien-trained half-brother to top-level performers Secret Gesture and Japan has a pair of prestigious wins of his own, but a lingering debate of whether there is more potential in him is a common query. Such could be put to rest come Saturday at Meydan Racecourse.

The son of Galileo comes to Dubai a the lone runner for the powerful Coolmore operation, as well as the global powerhouse's sole nomination to the meeting. A Group 2-winning 2-year-old of 2019, winning the Champions Juvenile (G2) at Leopardstown before a fourth to Kameko in the Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1), he entered his sophomore season as obvious Derby material, but a sole prep at Royal Ascot—fourth as the favorite in the King Edward VII (G2)—did not provide enough bottom for him to stand up to the challenges of Epsom.

Stepping up his game with fitness, Mogul went on to win three of his next five races against some of the world's best, including Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and Hong Kong Vase (G1). Wedged between was a good fifth in Tarnawa's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). The Hong Kong Vase, in mid-December, gives him a 15-week break coming to Dubai.

“We're happy with everything he's done,” O'Brien said. “He had a little break after Hong Kong and then he got going again and seems to be in good form. He's a horse who takes his racing very well and we think he's ready to start back again.

“I suppose it is his first run of the season, but he ran in December and that's hopefully an advantage,” he continued. “He wouldn't have had as long a break as he would have had last year, so we're hoping he's well enough and fit enough to do himself justice, really.”

Progress from three to four is expected from the well-built sort, but such was also the case for Japan, whose 2020 4-year-old campaign was a bit underwhelming. A winner of Group 1s, including the Juddmonte International and Grand Prix de Paris, in 2019, Japan could manage only a pair of thirds from five tries last year.

“Mentally they're a bit the same, but physically they're different,” O'Brien explained. “Mogul is probably a stronger, more powerful type of horse than Japan. Japan looks like a mile and a quarter, mile and a half horse, physically, whereas this horse looks more like a sprinter-miler. I suppose, physically they're different, but mentally, they're the same. They're relaxed horses who sleep and eat well.

“He's a big, strong, powerful horse and there's a lot of Danehill in him, so he carries plenty of condition. Even though he is fit and has done plenty of work, he still looks round and strong and looks more like a horse who will improve with the run, but that's the way he always looks.”

While O'Brien only has one win in the race–with the brilliant St Nicholas Abbey in 2013–his horses have often given strong accounts of themselves in a race that is arguably the toughest of the card. St Nicholas Abbey was second in 2012 and talented filly Seventh Heaven took up the same spot in 2017. In 2020, before the cancellation, he held a strong entry with Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck. One thing all those had in common was an affection for firm ground, which is likely at Meydan on its expansive 12-furlong course this Saturday.

“The quicker the ground the better,” O'Brien concluded. “The flat track will suit him and a nice even pace will suit him. He likes to take his time and he comes home well. He's flying out on Monday and we will be on the track as soon as we can.”

After a 48-hour quarantine, Mogul will make his first appearance to the public, post-Hong Kong-conquering, at morning track work on Thursday.

The current best-price $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) market:

5/2 CHRONO GENESIS
11/4 MISHRIFF
6/1 MOGUL
7/1 WALTON STREET
8/1 CHANNEL MAKER
16/1 STAR SAFARI
20/1 LOVES ONLY YOU
25/1 BERKSHIRE ROCCO
50/1 SIMSIR

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Mogul on Song For Sheema Classic

Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is in good form ahead of a start in the $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Mar. 27. Last seen in action taking the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December, the Coolmore partners-owned 4-year-old also saluted in the 2020 G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood in July, ran second in the Aug. 19 Great Voltigeur S. and returned to the winner's circle in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp in September. Fifth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf a month prior to his Hong Kong triumph, the 3.4-million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling will fly to Dubai on Monday and step out for morning trackwork after clearing 48 hours of quarantine on Thursday.

“We're happy with everything he's done,” trainer Aidan O'Brien, who won the race with the late St Nicholas Abbey (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in 2013, told the Tamarkuz Media notes team. “He had a little break after Hong Kong and then he got going again and seems to be in good form. He's a horse who takes his racing very well and we think he's ready to start back again.

“I suppose it is his first run of the season, but he ran in December and that's hopefully an advantage. He wouldn't have had as long a break as he would have had last year, so we're hoping he's well enough and fit enough to do himself justice, really.”

Comparing Mogul and his year-older full-brother Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who won the 2019 G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International S., O'Brien added, “Mentally they're a bit the same, but physically they're different. Mogul is probably a stronger, more powerful type of horse than Japan. Japan looks like a mile and a quarter, mile and a half horse, physically, whereas this horse looks more like a sprinter-miler. They're relaxed horses who sleep and eat well.

“He's a big, strong, powerful horse and there's a lot of Danehill in him, so he [Japan] carries plenty of condition. Even though he is fit and has done plenty of work, he still looks round and strong and looks more like a horse who will improve with the run, but that's the way he always looks.

“The quicker the ground the better. The flat track will suit him and a nice even pace will suit him. He likes to take his time and he comes home well. He's flying out on Monday and we will be on the track as soon as we can.”

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Mystic Guide Headlines Expected Field Of 14 For 2021 Dubai World Cup

A cast of 14 Group or Grade 1 winners with a combined 23 victories at the highest level are set to line up for the 25th running of Dubai World Cup day at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday March 27, 2021.

A total of 117 horses from 11 countries will compete across a spectacular day of racing worth USD$26.5m that features six Group 1 and three Group 2 contests.

The Group 1 $12m Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline and held over 2000m (1 1/4 miles) welcomes a 14-strong line up headed by the highest-rated Mystic Guide, trained by Michael Stidham in the USA. Mystic Guide is one of three Godolphin-owned runners in the field with the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Gifts of Gold also representing the home team. The third Godolphin runner comes in the shape of Magny Course, the charge of French maestro Andre Fabre who is making his dirt debut in the Dubai World Cup.

Yet the Godolphin runners face stiff competition from a three-strong team of US raiders including the 2021 Pegasus World Cup runner up, Jesus' Team, for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo and the Miguel Angel Silva-prepared Grade 2 winner Sleepy Eyes Todd. Title Ready winner of January's Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes trained by Dallas Stewart completes the US lineup.

Japanese interests are represented by Grade 1 winner, Chuwa Wizard, who claimed the Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse in December 2020 for trainer Ryuji Okubo, while Uruguay's Ajuste Fiscal lines up for trainer Antonio Cintra. Bahraini handler, Fawzi Nass saddles a first Dubai World Cup runner with Salute The Soldier, whose route to the Dubai World Cup included victory in two out of the three traditional Dubai prep races – the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 over 1900m and the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over the same 2000m of the Dubai World Cup.

Great Scot, third in The Saudi Cup last month, flies the flag for Saudi Arabia and trainer, Abdullah Mishriff. Local hopes will be pinned on the 2020 Group 3 Firebreak Stakes winner, Capezzano and this season's Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 runner up, Hypothetical from the yard of Salem Bin Ghadayer. Musabbah Al Mheiri saddles the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 winner, Military Law, while Doug Watson is represented by Thegreatcollection.

A stellar renewal of the Group 1 $5m 2410m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic seems certain with Japan's supermare, the multiple Grade 1 winner, Chrono Genesis, trained by Takashi Saito, lining up against dual Group 1 winner and Hong Kong Vase star, Mogul, who represents Irish supremo Aidan O'Brien. The Bill Mott trained four-time Group 1 winner, Channel Maker will be looking to go one better following his runner up spot to True Self in the Neom Turf Cup in February while the John Gosden-trained 2021 Saudi Cup hero, Mishriff is stepping up in trip and making a return to turf.

The 1800m $4m Group 1 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World features a strong UK contingent, with Lord North winner of the Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes from the Gosden yard, Lord Glitters, victor of the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday trained by David O'Meara, the Sir Michael Stoute trained Regal Reality as well as the Simon Crisford-trained pair of Court House and Epic Hero all lining up.

The Group 1 $1.5m 1200m Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News, boasts a multi-national field including the Doug O'Neill trained Wildman Jack winner of the 2020 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and fellow US-based Group winner, Yaupon trained by Steve Asmussen who seeks redemption following his Breeder's Cup Sprint tilt in November. The Americans will take on Capella Stakes victor, Justin trained by Akira Murayama who renews his rivalry with Copano Kicking and Matera Sky, the winner and runner up respectively in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint three weeks ago. Canvassed winner of the Super Saturday Group 3 prep race, the Mahab Al Shimal for Doug Watson, renews his rivalry with the Ismail Mohammed trained Good Effort who was second by a neck on that occasion.

Elsewhere on the card Japan's Pink Kamehameha, trained by Hideyuki Mori seeks victory in the Group 2 1900m $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD having already landed the Saudi equivalent over a mile.

Stablemate France Go De Ina and the Yukihiro Kato trained Takeru Pegasus complete a powerful Japanese Derby challenge while Dubai World Cup Carnival star, El Patriota(URU) prepared by Cintra represents Uruguay.

The Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by AZIZI features Godolphin's Charlie Appleby trained Space Blues, fresh from victory in The Saudi Cup's 1351 Turf Sprint, Dubai World Cup Carnival star Equilateral trained by Charlie Hills and Cowan who was a fast-finishing second in the Saudi Derby and is another prepared by Asmussen.

Testing their staying power in the Group 2 $750,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors are the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak-winner Subjectivist, trained by Mark Johnston alongside Group 2 winners, Walderbe, trained by Germany's Ralf Rohne, the Andrew Balding trained Spanish Mission and Red Verdon trained by Ed Dunlop.

The Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One features 2020 Curlin Stakes winner, Parsimony trained by Doug O'Neill alongside Saudi raider Urban Icon, trained by Saud Saad M Alkahtani, Multiple UAE Champion Trainer, Doug Watson saddles the trio of Midnight Sands, Premier Star and Golden Goal, while Satish Seemar's Zabeel Stables also sends out three including Secret Ambition, Roman Rosso and Tuz. The Salem Bin Ghadayer trained Blown By The Wind lines up alongside Japan's Dieu Du Vin and the Saeed Bin Suroor trained Dubai Mirage.

The Dubai World Cup is being held behind closed doors on Saturday March 27, 2021 and will see a modification to the purse structure meaning that prize money will be paid out to 8th place.

DUBAI WORLD CUP 2021 CURRENT INVITED FIELDS

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