Dubai: Imperial Emperor dominates Al Maktoum Classic

Imperial Emperor will face much stronger competition in the Dubai World Cup on April 5 than he did Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in the Al Maktoum Classic, but the manner in which he disposed of 14 foes suggests the horse won’t be overwhelmed by the step up in class.

Breaking from an outside post, Imperial Emperor and jockey Tadgh O’Shea were caught three to five paths wide with no cover on both turns of the 2,000-meter Al Maktoum Classic yet still went on to an 8.46-length victory over Artorius in this Group 2 dirt contest.

Bhupat Seemar trains the top two home and added another victory on the card when odds-on favorite Tuz, Dubai’s top dirt sprinter, dominated the Group 3 Mahab al Shimaal.

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Imperial Emperor ($3.80) made his first four starts on turf in England before being sent to Dubai for two more grass races during the 2023-24 United Arab Emirates racing season. But this season, Seemar switched Imperial Emperor to dirt, and Saturday’s victory was his third from four starts since the 5-year-old changed surfaces. Seemar also trains Laurel River, the 2024 World Cup winner who missed an intended start in the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup.

Tuz ($3.60) faced pace pressure while racing on the lead along the rail for the first 3 1/2 furlongs of the Mahaba al Shimaal before shrugging off his speed rival and going on to a 5.14-length score over the Japan-based 3-year-old American Stage. Tuz will vie for favoritism with Straight No Chaser in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race Tuz won a year ago.

Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin horses familiar to an American audience, Nations Pride and Silver Knott, won card’s two turf routes. Nations Pride ($4.60) raced forwardly and pulled clear late in the Group 2 Singspiel over 1,800 meters, while Silver Knott ($3.80) was decidedly best in the 2,410-meter Dubai City of Gold. Both horses will face much tougher competition should they show up in the Dubai Turf and the Sheema Classic on the World Cup card.

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