Dubawi remains unbeaten

Dubawi thrust himself to the top of the European 2-year-old picture with an impressive three-length victory in the Group 1 National Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday.

The Godolphin-owned Dubawi, the 3-5 favorite, remained undefeated after three races as he easily beat the improving maiden winner Berenson in the seven-furlong, $365,000 National.

Previously the winner of the Group 3 Superlative Stakes, Dubawi was immediately installed as the 10-1 favorite for next year's Epsom Derby.

While Godolphin could rejoice over Dubawi, there was concern in its camp over the status of Arc favorite Sulamani. A five-time Group or Grade 1 winner in four different countries, the 5-year-old Sulamani was described by trainer Saeed bin Suroor as "quiet" after his Aug. 17 Juddmonte International triumph. A decision about Sulamani's Arc participation will not be made until next week.

Meanwhile, English and Irish Oaks winner Ouija Board added a bit of luster to the Arc picture when trainer Ed Dunlop said that the Oct. 3 Longchamp race is her "No. 1 option," although the 1 1/4-mile Prix de l'Opera on the same day is also under consideration.

Andreas Suborics will miss his Arc ride aboard German Derby winner Shirocco as he was hit with a three-day suspension for careless riding in his winning ride aboard 2-year-old Idealist in the listed Junioren-Preisat Dusseldorf on Sunday. The suspension includes the day of the Arc.

Twenty-two horses have been nominated to Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The Group 1 Ascot mile, the final major European prep for the Breeders' Cup Mile, has drawn the attention of BC Mile candidates Soviet Song, Haafhd, Refuse to Bend, Le Vie dei Colori, Nayyir, Rakti, and Diamond Green, plus a pair of Aidan O'Brien trainees, Antonius Pius and the undefeated, late-blooming 3-year-old Ace, recent winner of the Group 3 Desmond Stakes in his third career start.