Crupi continues preparations for Dubai World Cup

Crupi, third behind National Treasure and Senor Buscador in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream on Jan. 27, worked a half-mile in 50.07 seconds Friday at Palm Beach Downs, as he continues preparations for the $12 million Dubai World Cup March 30 at Meydan.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was happy to see the form of the Pegasus hold up well with Senor Buscador winning and National Treasure finishing fourth, after being part of the pace scenario, in the $20 million Saudi Cup.

While Senor Buscador is going to run in the Dubai World Cup, National Treasure is not. Pletcher also likes the idea of being able to run Crupi 1 1/4 miles in Dubai.

“When you go for races like that, you don’t necessarily have to win for it to be a successful trip,” Pletcher said. “There are not very many opportunities coming up at that distance and definitely not any with that type of purse. We’re taking a shot; if he steps up and gets lucky with a good pace scenario, [he] can get a piece of it.”

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