American contingent arrives in Dubai; field of 12 expected for World Cup

As 10 American horses settled in at Meydan Racecourse on Wednesday after shipping from the U.S., the Dubai Racing Club released a list of likely fields for the March 28 Dubai World Cup program.

In alphabetical order, the prospective starters for the $12 million World Cup are Benbatl, Chrysoberyl, Chuwa Wizard, Gold Dream, Gronkowski, Master Fencer, Math Wizard, Matterhorn, Mucho Gusto, Sir Winston, Tacitus, and War Story.

The leading American-based World Cup contenders, Mucho Gusto and Tacitus, shipped directly to Dubai after competing in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29. Mucho Gusto set the pace and finished fourth in the Saudi Cup, one place behind Tacitus. Benbatl, who has been based in Dubai all winter, finished third in the Saudi Cup and should challenge the top Americans for favoritism. Arriving Wednesday after an international ship were Sir Winston, the 2019 Belmont Stakes winner, Math Wizard, who won the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby, and War Story.

The other American horses that arrived Wednesday in Dubai were United, who starts in the $6 million Sheema Classsic over 2,400 meters on turf; Killybegs Captain, who runs in the Golden Shaheen, a 1,200-meter dirt race; Shotski, Tizamagician, and Wrecking Crew, all for the UAE Derby; Texas Wedge, for the Al Quoz Sprint; and Gray Magician for the Godolphin Mile. Notably absent from the American shippers was Mr Freeze, who would have been favored in the Godolphin Mile.

A number of other American runners either have been based in Dubai for several weeks with trainer Doug O’Neill’s string there or shipped after racing in Saudi Arabia.

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There’s a very large Japanese presence this year in Dubai, with 19 Japan-based horses among the likely fields. Topping that list is Almond Eye, the star filly who won the Dubai Turf a year ago and will be favored to win it again next Saturday.

Among her opponents are two other sharp Japanese performers, Group 1 winners Admire Mars and Win Bright. The leading local Dubai Turf hope is Barney Roy, who has come back to form this winter after returning to action last season following a failed stallion career.

The Sheema Classic should have Godolphin’s powerful galloper Ghaiyyath at the head of the betting, though trainer John Gosden is expected to send the European champion filly Star Catcher.

Imperial Hint, the crack American sprinter, raced well below his form in Saudi Arabia but pushed on nonetheless to the Golden Shaheen, where, among others, he’ll meet the Japanese horse Matera Sky and recent Golden Shaheen prep-race standout, Wafy.

The two-mile Gold Cup appears to be an especially strong renewal and includes Kew Gardens, one of several high-level performers expected to ship from Ireland next week for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The Japanese horses that didn’t race in Saudi Arabia also arrived Wednesday in Dubai, while the shipment of European hopes – not including the O’Brien-trained runners - is scheduled to fly Friday. Travel this year, for humans especially, has been considerably complicated by the coronavirus pandemic.

To view the full list of likely entrants, click here.