Dubai World Cup set for March 31

The 2012 Dubai World Cup program will be held on March 31, the highlight of a racing calendar in the United Arab Emirates announced on Monday.

The season will encompass 53 racing days, three more than last season, at Meydan and three other racecourses – Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Meydan will have 21 racing days overall and will be host for the Dubai World Cup Carnival from January through March, featuring 10 days of major racing. That portion of the Meydan season was previously known as the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

At Meydan, a day of major prep races for the Dubai World Cup program will be held on Saturday, March 10, a shift from past seasons when the event was held on a Thursday.

The $10 Dubai World Cup remains the world’s richest race and is part of an eight-race program on March 31.