Several American contenders for the March 28 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program
turned in works over the weekend.
At Palm Meadows, Donn H. (G1) star ALBERTUS MAXIMUS
(Albert the Great) sizzled six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 on the fast track Saturday. The Kiaran
McLaughlin charge is gearing up for the $6 million World Cup.
“He was just flying out there,” McLaughlin told drcnewswire.com. “He couldn’t
be doing any better. We’re so excited. I wouldn’t trade places with anybody. I
feel like he’s the horse to beat. This is a very professional racehorse. We
might get beaten, but they’ll have to run a tremendous race to beat this horse.
He’s just doing fabulous.”
Also prepping for the World Cup, Grade 1 winner WELL ARMED (Tiznow) worked
seven furlongs in 1:26 2/5 on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride Sunday. The Eoin Harty
trainee, third in last year’s World Cup, was most recently runner-up in the San
Antonio H. (G2).
At the same venue, two-time champion INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie), set to
tackle males in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), blazed five furlongs in :59
on Saturday. The Bob Baffert filly captured the La Brea S. (G1) in her latest
venture.
“I’m happy with her,” Baffert told drcnewswire.com. “She worked very well; so
far, so good. She’s ready. That was her major workout. Once (our horses) get
over to Dubai, we don’t do too much with them over there (prior to raceday).”
Another Golden Shaheen contender, Vosburgh S. (G1) hero BLACK SEVENTEEN
(Is It True), drilled in 1:01 1/5. The Brian Koriner trainee was third in the
Mr. Prospector S. (G3) last time out.
“Everything is good,” Koriner told drcnewswire.com. “He worked pretty
aggressively today and looked nice.”
Two more Dubai-bound horses worked at Hollywood Park on Sunday.
Canadian International (Can-G1) upsetter MARSH SIDE (Gone West) motored six
furlongs in 1:12 4/5 on the Cushion Track. Seventh in his seasonal reappearance
in the San Marcos S. (G2), the Neil Drysdale turfiste is on course for the Dubai
Sheema Classic (UAE-G1).
San Pasqual H. (G2) near-misser INFORMED (Tiznow) clocked 1:13 in advance of
the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2). The Doug O’Neill pupil is exiting a dead-heat
fourth in the San Antonio.
In other Dubai news, multiple Grade 1 hero RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire])
has been confirmed for the about 1 1/2-mile Sheema Classic on turf. The Mark
Hennig trainee was eighth in the Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) over 1 1/8 miles,
a trip well short of his best.
“We ran him in the 1 1/8-mile race knowing it wasn’t his best distance — it
was probably too short for him — but he got a good foundation in him from that
race and he’s trained well since then,” Hennig told drcnewswire.com. “And he’s
proved his quality to compete at this level in the past.”
The winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf, top-class miler KIP DEVILLE
(Kipling), is booked for the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).