Etc. . . .

The inaugural Dubai International Racing Carnival begins at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night with Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge. The one-mile Group 3 race is headed by Victory Moon, winner of last year's UAE Derby and a good fifth to Falbrav in the Eclipse Stakes. . . . A Siphon-Master Print colt worked a quarter-mile in 21.60 seconds at Calder Race Course to top the work tab at the first under-tack preview for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s Feb. 3 juvenile sale at Calder. OBS will host a second and final under-tack show on Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. . . . Clifford A. Nelson III, who has worked for the Ohio Racing Commission for more than 30 years, will retire as executive director effective Jan. 31. Sam Zonak will serve as acting executive director, while continuing as the commission's chief investigator, until a permanent replacement is found.