American Dubai heads to Ruidoso for higher-elevation work

American Dubai was to be shipped to Ruidoso Downs on Monday to train at a high elevation in advance of a possible start in the Keeneland Korea Cup at Seoul Racecourse in South Korea, said his trainer, Rodney Richards.

American Dubai, the winner of the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap and the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap, has been stabled at owner Richard Keith’s farm in Hobbs, N.M., with plans to eventually be based at nearby Zia Park.

Richards has been working on the logistics of sending American Dubai to South Korea. The race is Sept. 10.

“This is a great opportunity,” Richards said Monday. “It’s exciting for us. We want to go. We’re trying to get everything in order if we can. Our situation is getting a lot of paperwork in order, and [a suitable] flight.”

Richards said he is seeking to fly American Dubai out of New Mexico or the neighboring Texas town of El Paso. As for race preparation, the training game plan is in place for American Dubai, who on Aug. 5 was a nine-length winner of the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap with a Beyer Speed Figure of 97. Just as with human athletes, oxygen levels in horses improve at sea level after training above sea level.

“Ruidoso has an elevation of 5,500 feet,” Richards said. “Shipping over there, we’re going to sea level.”

Richards said that if American Dubai runs in Korea, regular rider Ken Tohill would have the mount. Last year, the Korea Racing Authority and Keeneland Association announced the inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup. For its first running the race was at 1,800 meters and had an approximate purse of $855,000.