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Walsh: No Decision Yet On Next Start For Unbeaten Prevalence

A decision on Prevalence's next start on the Triple Crown Trail has yet to be made by the connections of Godolphin LLC's homebred colt, who was an impressive winner of his first two career starts at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Based at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, Prevalence is among 25 sophomores nominated to the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Saturday, March 27. To be run for the 70^th time at Gulfstream, the Florida Derby has produced the winners of 60 Triple Crown races in its history.

The Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct and Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, both scheduled for April 3, are also under consideration. All three races carry 170 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 basis.

Trainer Brendan Walsh, who was traveling back to South Florida Wednesday from New Orleans, said he was unsure where the horse would run next.

“No idea yet,” he said. “We'll see how he's doing the next few days and go from there.”

Prevalence, a son of multiple Grade 1 winner Medaglia d'Oro and grandson of Hall of Famer Ghostzapper, was an eye-catching 8 ½-length maiden special weight winner in debut Jan. 23 on the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) undercard. A fever cost him a chance to run in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27, but he returned with a professional three-length optional claiming allowance triumph at Gulfstream March 11.

“He came out of the last race good and he's back training away and doing well,” Walsh said. “We'll see how he goes this week and then we'll have a better idea.”

Among the probable Florida Derby starters are Courtlandt Farms' Greatest Honour, impressive winner of the Fountain of Youth and Holy Bull (G3) trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey; St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda, a smashing optional claiming allowance winner who is trained by Todd Pletcher, who has saddled a record five Florida Derby winners; Michael Shanley's Nova Rags, the Sam F. Davis (G3) runner-up; Three Chimney's Farm and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Collaborate, a 12 ½-length maiden winner under wraps Feb. 27 at Gulfstream in his second career start; Magic Stables LLC's Papetu, second in the Mucho Macho Man and third in the Fountain of Youth; and Live Oak Plantation's Soup and Sandwich, undefeated in two starts for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

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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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Global Cast For Dubai World Cup

Expected fields have been released for Meydan's $26.5-million Dubai World Cup card on Mar. 27, with 14 Group 1 winners set to line up on the night.

The featured $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup is as ever an international affair. Godolphin brings three runners trained in three different countries, headed by homebred Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), winner last time of the GIII Razorback H. at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27 for trainer Mike Stidham. Saeed bin Suroor sends out Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who won the Red Sea Turf H. on Saudi Cup day, while Andre Fabre fields Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), the winner of his last three who tries dirt for the first time. They will be opposed by American challengers Jesus' Team (Tapiture), runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 23; Pegasus fourth and Saudi Cup fifth Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado); and last-out GIII Louisiana S. winner Title Ready (More Than Ready). Japan sends Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), winner of the G1 Champions Cup in December. Bahraini handler Fawzi Nass fields Salute The Solider (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}), winner of G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, while Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), a longshot third in the Saudi Cup, is the Saudi hope.

The G1 Dubai Sheema Classic will see Group 1 winners from four countries square off. Japan's triple Group 1-winning mare Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) will meet Aidan O'Brien's Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as well as American champion Channel Maker (English Channel) and G1 Prix du Jockey Club and Saudi Cup scorer Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). The G1 Dubai Turf features last-out G1 Jebel Hatta victor Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) and last year's G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), while Cheveley Park Stud's triple Group 3 winner Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}) makes his seasonal debut.

The G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen features American challenger Yaupon (Uncle Mo). The Steve Asmussen-trained 4-year-old looks to bounce back from an eighth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, prior to which he had gone unbeaten in four starts. He is joined by the Doug O'Neill-trained Wildman Jack (Goldencents), who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at Meydan last season and most recently took the GII Palos Verdes S. on Jan. 23. Japan holds a strong hand in the Golden Shaheen with G3 Capella S. winner Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Riyadh Dirt Sprint one-two Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) and Matera Sky (Speightstown). Japan also brings a powerful team for the G2 UAE Derby headed by Saudi Derby scorer Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). He will face the likes of Listed Al Bastakiya S. winner Panadol (Flatter); Listed UAE 1000 Guineas winner Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}); and UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mouheeb (Flatter).

The G1 Al Quoz Sprint will see G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and stc 1351 Turf Sprint scorer Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) face off against fellow Godolphin colourbearer Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday, and G2 Meydan Sprint winner Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), while American-trained 3-year-old Cowan (Kantharos) attempts to break a streak of five straight second-place finishes, including in the Saudi Derby last time.

The G2 Dubai Gold Cup will see G1 Prix Royal-Oak scorer Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) face off against the likes of Red Sea Turf H. second and fourth Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) and Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid), while Midnight Sands (Speightstown) looks to build on a win in the G3 Burj Nahaar in the G2 Godolphin Mile. He faces the likes of G3 Firebreak S. winner Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}).

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Essential Quality to Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby Next for Caddo River

Defending juvenile champion Essential Quality (Tapit) is expected to make his next start in the Apr. 3 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, according to trainer Brad Cox Tuesday. The Godolphin homebred, who is slated to post his final major work this Saturday, most recently won the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Feb. 27.

“The Blue Grass is what we have zeroed in on,” confirmed Cox. “He's done extremely well [since the Southwest]. We breezed him last Saturday [Mar. 13], and we clocked him at a half in :48.20, well in hand, and I'm excited about how he looked [5/84]. He galloped out in 1:01 and three, also well in hand.”

He added, “He'll go five-eighths at the Fair Grounds Saturday morning and then on to the Blue Grass.”

Earning TDN Rising Star status following an impressive debut winner at Churchill last September, Essential Quality added consecutive wins in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity in October and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile back at the Lexington oval Nov. 6.

Also representing Cox on the Triple Crown trail are TDN Rising Star Mandaloun (Into Mischief), slated for Saturday's GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, and Smarty Jones S. scorer Caddo River (Hard Spun), who most recently finished fifth behind dominant winner Concert Tour (Street Sense) in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn.

“We weren't quite where needed to be with Caddo River last Saturday [in the GII Rebel S.],” admitted Cox. “Caddo River showed that he wants to be very close, and probably, the longer the distance–a mile and an eighth and beyond–he would likely be more forwardly placed. Hopefully, we can make some adjustments there and we can be back on track for the [GI] Arkansas Derby [Apr. 10].”

Runner-up in his first two career starts in New York last fall, Caddo River posted an eye-catching score going a mile at Churchill Downs Nov. 15.

And while 'Derby Fever' can often prove overwhelming with even one Classic contender, Cox admits he relishes the added pressure.

“There is a lot that goes into the Derby. I think it's more because you're not only watching your horse, but you're also watching every impressive horse throughout the country,” he explained. “When there is a horse that breaks its maiden and you wake up the next morning and there is a new TDN Rising Star on your email, the first thing you do you click and watch the replay. There is definitely more to the Kentucky Derby dream. It represents so many horses and so many people's goals. I really enjoy it. This is what it's all about. Watching other horses' races and trying to figure out how our horses will stack up.”

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