Multiple Grade 1 veteran PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem), who
scored a repeat victory in the February 28 Mac Diarmida S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park,
worked an easy mile in 1:44 over the fast dirt at Gulfstream Park Sunday
morning. The Mary Hartmann charge is getting ready for his trip to Dubai for a start in the
grassy, $5
million Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) to be run at 1 1/2 miles on the March 27 Dubai
World Cup card.
The charismatic seven-year-old gelding is among five South Florida-based
stakes stars expected to board a plane on Wednesday to contest the rich races on
Dubai World Cup Day at Meydan.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) worked six
furlongs in 1:13 4/5 Sunday in advance of the $10 million Dubai World Cup, a 1
1/4-mile test on the Tapeta. The Mike Maker pupil is coming off a fifth in the
February 7 San Antonio H. (G2) at Santa Anita behind World Cup
contender Richard’s Kid (Lemon Drop Kid).
Multiple Grade 1 winner TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score), also expected in
the World Cup, breezed five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 Sunday morning at Palm Meadows.
The gray finished first in the Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) on February 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher,
but was disqualified to fifth for interference in the stretch.
The likely favorite for the World Cup is Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat),
double Eclipse winner and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) runner-up, who is
preparing for his trip at trainer Christophe Clement’s Payson Park winter
quarters. The reigning champion turf and older male was upset by Karelian (Bertrando)
in a photo-finish in the February 20 Tampa Bay S.
Also based at Payson Park is Courageous Cat (Storm Cat), a game
head winner of the February 20 Canadian Turf S. (G3) who is headed to the $5
million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) going 1 1/8 miles on
turf. Two starts back, the Bill Mott trainee was a close-up second to champion Goldikova
(Ire) (Anabaa) in the Breeders’
Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on November 7.