Franz Strauss, Clapton face off in Al Maktoum Classic

The most noteworthy part of the Group 2, $275,000 Al Maktoum Classic, featured race on the Super Saturday card at Meydan Racecourse, is who’s not running.

Kabirkhan, a 4-year-old California Chrome colt bred in America, owned by Kazakhs, and campaigned in Russia before storming to a pair of dirt wins in Dubai this winter, had been – at least as of a couple weeks ago – an expected runner in the Al Maktoum Classic but wasn’t among the final declarations. A source in Dubai with knowledge of trainer Doug Watson’s thinking said Kabirkhan remains a candidate for the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 30.

Kabirkhan’s most recent race came Jan. 26 in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, which he won by nearly five lengths over the European expatriate Franz Strauss, who is among the 13 entries in Saturday’s 1 3/16-mile contest. Also entered is the Chad Summers-trained Clapton, winner of the Lukas Classic on Sept. 30 and third behind Kabirkhan in his Dubai debut.

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The Al Maktoum Classic is one of nine races on an all-stakes card that includes several other preps for stakes on the World Cup program.

Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby hold all the high cards in the Group 2, $230,000 Dubai City of Gold, a prep for the Sheema Classic. Appleby’s top rider, William Buick, lands aboard Castle Way, a 4-year-old Group 3-winning gelding who makes his first start in Dubai. Appleby also sends out Warren Point and Bold Act, the latter most recently seen winning the Sycamore Stakes last fall at Keeneland.

The composition of the Mahab al Shimaal, the Group 3 prep for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen later this month, suggests it’s very likely an American or Japanese dirt sprinter will win the big race on March 30.

Saturday’s card starts at 7:30 a.m. Eastern with an Arabian race.

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