The French stayer Vazirabad is very much at home in the Dubai desert. For the second consecutive year, Vazirabad won the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday on the undercard of the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Red Falx will have his 2017 debut in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at six furlongs on turf at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan. The $1.733 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen drew a full field of 18.
Sharp Azteca has traveled to Dubai from North America to start as the favorite in the Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile, and to win, he must find a way to beat a horse named North America.
The UAE Derby, which awards the winner 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, drew 16 entrants and appears wildly competitive – unless Thunder Snow is simply better than his many rivals. He might be.
The Dubai Golden Shaheen is not supposed to be a handicap, but it kind of worked out that way. The best horse in the race, Mind Your Biscuits, was saddled with post 14 for the dirt race over 1,200 meters, or about six furlongs.
After cross-country trips to win the Travers Stakes at Saratoga last summer and the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January, Arrogate has traveled cross-world to start Saturday in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Considering the competition Winner’s Way has faced in recent months in Hong Kong, starting as the 131-pound highweight in Sunday’s Lusitano Challenge Cup at Sha Tin racecourse is a relief.
While he is not the otherworldly beast as was Zarkava, his mother, Zarak has flashed brilliance, and if he puts forth his best effort Saturday night at Meydan, he can win the $6 million Dubai Turf.
Sha Tin selections and analysis for Sunday, March 26, 2017
Postponed could become the first repeat winner of the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse. Could – but not necessarily will. Postponed is the likely favorite in the 1 1/2-mile grass race, but he will have to improve upon his performance three weeks ago at Meydan when he finished second in the Dubai City of Gold.
