Dubai Racing Club releases likely fields for World Cup night

Last updated: 3/15/10 6:58 PM

Dubai Racing Club releases likely fields for World Cup
night

Gio Ponti leads the American team for the World Cup
(Four Footed Fotos)

On Monday, the Board of the Dubai Racing Club announced the likely fields for
the March 27 Dubai World Cup program at Meydan Racecourse. For the complete list
of projected runners in each race, along with their trainers and countries
represented,

click here.

Dual Eclipse Award winner GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) spearheads a full
14-horse field expected for the meeting’s signature race, the $10 million Dubai
World Cup (UAE-G1). The about 1 1/4-mile event, which was formerly held on the
dirt at Nad al Sheba, will be contested over the Tapeta surface at the new,
state-of-the-art Meydan for the first time.

Runner-up to Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride two back, Gio Ponti is coming off a photo-finish
upset at the hands of Karelian (Bertrando) in the grassy Tampa Bay S.

The Christophe Clement charge is one of four American-based contenders in the World
Cup.

Gio Ponti will likely be joined by multiple Grade 1 victor TAKE THE POINTS
(Even the Score), who was demoted to fifth in the Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1)
last out; Pacific Classic S. (G1) hero RICHARD’S KID (Lemon Drop Kid), most
recently successful in the San Antonio H. (G2); and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile G1)
scorer FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike), a close fifth in the San Antonio.

The United States has lifted the past three World Cups, with Invasor (Arg)
(2007), Curlin (2008) and Well Armed (2009), but the rest of the world has
fielded a formidable contingent in 2010.

French star Vision D’Etat excels at about 1 1/4 miles
(Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Champion S. (Eng-G1) winner TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory), third to Zenyatta
and Gio Ponti in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, leads the three-pronged British
team. GITANO HERNANDO (GB) (Hernando [Fr]), winner of the Goodwood S. (G1) last
fall and the Winter Derby Trial in his latest, and Group 1 veteran CROWDED HOUSE
(Rainbow Quest) will also fly the Union Jack.

France has two prime World Cup candidates. Multiple Group 1 star VISION
D’ETAT (Chichicastenango), last seen landing the Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1), would be
making his synthetic debut, while GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (Brz) (Impression)
captured the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (UAE-G3) here in January.

Japan lost a key contender in the recently-retired Vodka, but its rooting
interests are still very much alive with Grade 1 queen RED DESIRE (Manhattan
Cafe), who got up to deny Gloria de Campeao in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3
(UAE-G2) at this track and trip.

Godolphin, going in search of its sixth World Cup trophy, sends out a pair of
hopefuls. ALLYBAR (King’s Best), who held off Crowded House in the Maktoum
Challenge Round 2 (UAE-G3), exits a fourth to Red Desire and Gloria de Campeao
in Round 3. St. Leger (Eng-G1) hero MASTERY (GB) (Sulamani [Ire]) has not raced
since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.

South African maestro Mike de Kock is responsible for outsiders MR BROCK
(Fort Wood) and LIZARD’S DESIRE (Lizard Island), respectively third and fifth in
the Maktoum Challenge Round 3.

Presious Passion will try to give his Sheema rivals the slip
(Ryan Denver/EquiPhoto)

The $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) at about 1 1/2 grassy miles
lures the respective second, third and fourth-place finishers from the Breeders’
Cup Turf (G1) — PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem), DAR RE MI (GB) (Singspiel
[Ire]) and SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]). Front-runner extraordinaire Presious
Passion, America’s lone flagbearer in the Sheema Classic, comes off a repeat
victory in the Mac Diarmida S. (G2). Dar Re Mi has not raced since the Turf.
Spanish Moon has competed once in the interim, getting mugged on the line in the
Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) in December.

Three-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) runner-up YOUMZAIN (Sinndar),
10th in the Hong Kong Vase last out, will be trying the Sheema for the fourth
straight year. Third in 2007, the Mick Channon trainee was fifth in 2008 and
fourth in 2009. Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) hero CAVALRYMAN (Halling), third to
Sea the Stars and Youmzain in the Arc two starts ago, reverts to turf after a
seventh when testing Tapeta in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3. Dual Japanese
classic winner and champion BUENA VISTA (Special Week) stayed at home to prep,
driving to victory in a hot renewal of the Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-G2).

Other Sheema probables include Group 1 victor JUKEBOX JURY (Ire) (Montjeu
[Ire]), unraced since his runner-up effort in the Canadian International S.
(Can-G1); CAMPANOLOGIST (Kingmambo), recently successful in the Dubai City of
Gold (UAE-G2) at this course and distance; German veteran QUIJANO (Ger) (Acatenango);
and defending champion EASTERN ANTHEM (Singspiel [Ire]), who nipped Spanish Moon
at the wire in the 2009 Sheema but has not won since.

Courageous Cat is the top American hope in the Duty Free
(Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com)

COURAGEOUS CAT (Storm Cat), a gallant second to Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in
the Breeder’s Cup Mile (G1), is set to line up in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free
(UAE-G1) at about 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Bill Mott pupil kicked off his
2010 campaign with a score in the Canadian Turf S. (G3). Also on the Duty Free
list is Breeders’ Cup Mile third-placer JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor), who
has disappointed in his two runs at Meydan so far for Godolphin. Hollywood Derby
(G1) winner THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) and E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) shocker
LAHALEEB (Ire) (Redback) round out the contenders with North American form on
the books.

The respective runner-up and third-place finishers from the 2009 Duty Free,
PRESVIS (Sakhee) and ALEXANDROS (Kingmambo), will be looking to improve this
time. Presvis just blew by Alexandros in the local prep, the Jebel Hatta
(UAE-G2). BANKABLE (Medicean), fifth in this race last year, comes off a
thrilling decision over IMBONGI (Russian Revival) in the Al Fahidi Fort
(UAE-G2). Adding further international flavor is GOOD BA BA (Lear Fan),
three-time winner of the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) but fourth when stretching out
to about 1 1/4 miles in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK-G1) in his latest..

Godolphin’s Ancient Title S. (G1) hero GAYEGO (Gilded Time), beaten all of a
neck when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), headlines the $2 million
Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). Unlike past runnings down the old straightaway at
Nad al Sheba, the about six-furlong trip on the Tapeta at Meydan involves
rounding the far turn. Gayego tuned up for the Golden Shaheen by finishing a
solid second in the Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3) at the same distance.

Mendip will try to beat Vale of York again in the UAE Derby
(Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

The lone American-based Golden Shaheen candidate is the up-and-coming KINSALE KING (Yankee
Victor), who has landed the Palos Verdes H. (G2) and Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3)
in his past two for Carl O’Callaghan. Singapore sensation ROCKET MAN (Viscount),
Australian speedster EAGLE FALLS (Hussonet), Japan’s LAUREL GUERREIRO (King
Halo), Hong Kong’s ONE WORLD (Danehill) and the British duo of REGAL PARADE
(Pivotal) and BENBAUN (Stravinsky) make for a truly cosmopolitan affair.

The $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) features the first clash between South
African champion MUSIR (Redoute’s Choice) and Godolphin’s American Triple Crown
nominee MENDIP (Harlan’s Holiday). Musir impressed in the first leg of the Dubai
Triple Crown, the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), where he convincingly
handled Godolphin’s FROZEN POWER (Oasis Dream [GB]). The de Kock pupil skipped
the middle leg, the Al Bastakiya, which Mendip won in a romp from DELLA BARBA
(Della Francesca) and ENAK (Orpen).

The Al Bastakiya is contested at the same about 1 3/16-mile distance as the
U.A.E. Derby. While Mendip is already proven at the trip, Musir has never raced
beyond the metric mile of the Guineas. De Kock has another U.A.E. Derby
candidate who is accomplished at the distance — the filly RAIHANA (Elusive
Quality), who rolled to victory in the U.A.E. Oaks last out.

Desert Party looms over his rivals in the Godolphin Mile
(Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) upsetter VALE OF YORK (Ire) (Invincible Spirit),
who could manage only fifth in the Al Bastakiya, will look to improve off that
tightener for Godolphin. U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas heroine SIYAADAH (Shamardal),
a well-beaten third to Raihana in the Oaks, is another hoping for a rebound in
this spot.

Godolphin’s Grade 2 star DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) tops the list of
probables for the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2). The Saeed bin Suroor
trainee, who had been sidelined by injury since his subpar 14th in last year’s
Kentucky Derby (G1), reappeared to capture the Mahab al Shimaal (UAE-G3) in fine
fashion. Among his projected rivals are CAT JUNIOR (Storm Cat), GREEN COAST
(Green Desert) and CALMING INFLUENCE (Ire) (King’s Best), the respective top
three from the Burj Nahaar (UAE-G3), the course-and-distance prep; Japanese
shipper GLORIOUS NOAH (Precise End); and the respective second and third from
the Zabeel Mile (UAE-G2) on turf, KALAHARI GOLD (Trans Island) and SUMMIT SURGE
(Noverre).

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint conqueror CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags) is the
only American expected in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G3), an about
six-furlong scramble down the straight turf course. The Brian Koriner charge was
last seen finishing an honorable fifth after a pace war in the Hong Kong Sprint
(HK-G1). California Flag will renew rivalry with three others from the Hong Kong
Sprint — third-placer JOY AND FUN (Cullen) and a pair of also-rans, the
Australian-based ALL SILENT (Belong to Me) and the British-based WAR ARTIST (Orpen),
who has wintered in Dubai. A smashing winner of the Al Shindagha Sprint over
Gayego two back, War Artist was most recently a lackluster fifth to Desert Party
in the Mahab al Shimaal on the Tapeta.

California Flag bids to run his rivals ragged in the Al Quoz
(Benoit Photos)

Multiple South African Group 1 star OUR GIANT (Giant’s Causeway), from the
ever-dangerous de Kock yard, merits respect in his Dubai debut. Lennox S.
(Eng-G2) winner FINJAAN (Royal Applause [GB]) and French veteran MARIOL (Munir)
invade from Europe, while the redoubtable English veteran JUDD STREET (Compton
Place) boasts a brave score over STAR CROWNED (Kingmambo) in a prep over the
Meydan straight. Godolphin’s SIROCCO BREEZE (Green Desert) jumps up in class,
and switches surfaces, off two smart wins in Tapeta handicaps, and TERRIFIC
CHALLENGE (Royal Academy) wheels back off a coup in the Jebel Ali Sprint on the
dirt.

The first race on World Cup night is the $250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic for
Purebred Arabians.