UAE Derby Winner Rebel’s Romance To Skip Louisville, Await Belmont Stakes

The impressive winner of last month's UAE Derby in Dubai, Godolphin's Rebel's Romance will not take his place in the starting gate for the May 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. According to a Godolphin tweet on Wednesday, the 3-year-old son of Dubawi will instead be headed to the Belmont Stakes on June 4.

“Having spoken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, we feel he needs more time and he will now be aimed at the last leg of the US Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont S.,” trainer Charlie Appleby said in the Godolphin tweet.

A winner of four of his five lifetime starts, including two on all-weather surfaces in Britain last year, Rebel's Romance was only defeated when shipping over to Saudi Arabia in February. He finished fourth in the Saudi Derby behind Pink Kamehameha. In the UAE Derby back on his home track at Meydan a month later, Rebel's Romance defeated that rival and 12 others for an impressive 5 1/2-length victory over frontrunner Panadol.

Reflecting on his latest big race win on Dubai World Cup night, Appleby said: “(Rebel's Romance) 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.”

The Godolphin homebred is out of the winning Street Cry mare Minidress, herself a daughter of dual Group 3 winner Short Skirt. Minidress is a also full sister to recent Group 3 winner Volcanic Sky, winner of the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan on Feb. 25, 2021 (1 3/4 mile on the turf).

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Rebel’s Romance Romps In UAE Derby

Any discussion of the world's leading turf sires must include Darley in Europe's Dubawi (Ire), but for all the success he has had with his runners on the grass, his strike rate on the dirt–particularly in Dubai–is nothing short of stunning. The sire of World Cup winner Prince Bishop (Ire) (and Monterosso {GB} on the Tapeta), Dubawi has also accounted for such horses as Hunter's Light (Ire), Benbatl (GB) and Mubtaahij (Ire). The latter took out the 2015 UAE Derby, and as the sun began to set Saturday at Meydan, Rebel's Romance (Ire) put pay to an international field to punch a possible ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Let go at overlaid odds coming off a first career defeat when fourth to Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) in the Saudi Derby in Riyadh Feb. 20, Rebel's Romance was beaten for speed from gate 11 and had just a couple of rivals behind him as the previously unbeaten Panadol (Flatter) led them under the line the first time with New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) also prominent. In the clear down the backstretch, Rebel's Romance was allowed to improve into a midfield position through the middle stages, then was tucked in for a bit of cover on the back of Pink Kamehameha entering the turn. Felt for fully 650 metres out, Rebel's Romance warmed nicely to the task, was three wide into the lane, raced past Panadol while finally switching his leads a furlong from home and came away to an easy score while covering 16 metres (about 5 1/2 lengths) more ground than Panadol in a strong staying performance.

It was a ninth UAE Derby for Godolphin, but a first for trainer Charlie Appleby, and was worth 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Seven of the last eight winners of the race made their next appearance beneath the Twin Spires. If that is to be the case with Rebel Romance, Appleby was not admitting to it just yet.

“He is still very much a work in progress and he looked much better tonight than he did in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I think the biggest attribute to him today is that he was going to stay. We were always confident he as going to stay. Stepping up in trip was going to be his forte.

“It's great for the team,” he continued. “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.”

Rebel's Romance was perfect in a pair of all-weather starts at two, winning his maiden at first asking at Newcastle ahead of a four-length success at Kempton Nov. 18. He rallied from mid-division to best Mouheeb (Flatter) by a head in the Jan. 14 UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Jan. 14 ahead of his Saudi Derby effort.

Pedigree Notes:

Rebel's Romance became the 199th worldwide black-type winner and 129th group/graded winner for Dubawi and first since Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) scored in 2017 before following up with back-to-back wins in the World Cup. He is out of a stakes-placed daughter of MGSW & MG1SP Short Skirt (GB), the dam of Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), winner of this year's G3 Nad al Sheba Trophy over a mile and six furlongs on the turf. Fittingly enough, Rebel Romance's third dam produced English highweight Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian), whose son Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) posted a poignant victory for his tsunami-affected nation in the 2011 World Cup. After failing to produce a foal in 2019, Minidress dropped a colt by Frankel (GB) in February 2020.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
UAE DERBY SPONSORED BY EMIRATES NBD-G2, $750,000, Meydan, 3-27, 3yo, 9 1/2f, 1:56.28, fs.
1–REBEL'S ROMANCE (IRE), 121, g, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Minidress (GB) (SP-Eng), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Short Skirt (GB), by Diktat (GB)
3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE);
T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. $435,000. Lifetime Record:
5-4-0-0, $474,879. *1/2 to Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-
Ire. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A.
2–Panadol, 121, c, 3, Flatter–Arradoul, by Dixieland Band.
($180,000 2yo '20 OBSJUN). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
Al Maktoum; B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY);
T-Salem bin Ghadayer. $150,000.
3–New Treasure (Ire), 121, g, 3, New Approach (Ire)–
Maoineach, by Congaree. (90,000gns HRA '20 TATAUT).
O-Prince Faisal bin Khaled; B-J S Bolger (IRE); T-John Gosden.
$75,000.
Margins: 5HF, 1 3/4, HD.
Also Ran: Takeru Pegasus (Jpn), Mouheeb, France Go De Ina, Speight'spercomete, El Patriota (Uru), Mnasek, Pink Kamehameha (Jpn), Ambivalent, Lugamo, Fire Group, Soft Whisper (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

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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.

The post International Challengers Battle For The Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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