Heart to Heart invited to run in $6 million Dubai Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After watching Heart to Heart post a third consecutive graded stakes win with a wire-to-wire victory in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf here at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27, trainer Brian Lynch said the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile was next for his remarkably consistent grass specialist. But suddenly, there is another option to consider, a trip to Dubai for the $6 million Dubai Turf on March 26.

“The people from Dubai have made overtures to us regarding coming for their race,” Lynch said on Friday. “It’s kind of a tempting offer, to say the least, especially since from the looks of who might be running in the race, it appears we’d be the lone speed. But there are lots of things to consider, not the least of which is the competition. And after watching Solow run [Thursday] in France, he’ll certainly be a tough act to follow.”

Lynch was referring to the English-bred Solow, a three-time Group 1 winner at a mile last year in Britain who prepped for the Dubai Turf with a 1 1/2-length victory Thursday at Chantilly.

“There’s also the thought that we’d have to put him away for a while after that kind of trip,” said Lynch. “I’ll get a good look at the rest of them [Saturday] in Dubai and then see where we’re at. We haven’t even been tendered an official invitation as yet. But at the moment, we are considering the possibility.”

Lynch also said he’s likely to run Power Alert in next Saturday’s $75,000 Silk Run. Power Alert defeated Amelia’s Wild Ride to capture the 2015 Silks Run and outlasted that same rival to win the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on Feb. 6. Others under consideration for the five-furlong Silks Run, according to the racing office, are Amelia’s Wild Ride, Hothersal, Simon Bar Sinister, and Successful Native.