Trainer Jorge Navarro runs a large string in Florida, but he has been in Dubai now for close to two weeks, having arrived two days before X Y Jet, the horse he starts Saturday in the Golden Shaheen. It’s a significant time commitment, and Navarro hopes it pays off Saturday night.
Basically, since Mubtaahij crossed the wire eight lengths best last March 28 in the UAE Derby, Saturday’s Dubai World Cup has been his major objective. But the race is nearly upon us, and hardly anyone this week is viewing Mubtaahij as a major World Cup contender.
If the Tapeta surface era at Meydan was the worst of times for trainer Doug Watson – and, as far as training horses goes, it was – Year 2 of the dirt era at Meydan has ushered in the best of times.
The names of 12 horses had passed the entry box when entries closed Monday morning in Dubai for Saturday's $10 million Dubai World Cup.
There are five Americans set to contest the 21st World Cup on Saturday night, now a $10 million race, and three of them have put down at least shallow roots by now on the Arabian peninsula.
Solow, the best horse who had been expected to race March 26 on the Dubai World Cup program, was declared out of the $6 million Dubai Turf on Thursday by trainer Freddy Head because of an injury sustained during training Wednesday.
Sprinter Sacre completed one of the most remarkable comebacks for a top-class horse in recent memory when the 10-year-old gelding won the $500,500 Queen Mother Champion Chase for the second time on Wednesday.
A field of 13, including five Americans, is expected to be entered for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, according to a Wednesday release from the Dubai Racing Club of probable runners on the March 26 World Cup program. Final entries for nine stakes worth $30 million are due at 9:00 a.m. Monday, Dubai time.
With 2015 winner Coneygree sidelined with injury, Friday's $810,175 Cheltenham Gold Cup lacks a standout. There are several accomplished horses who are capable of winning the Grade 1 race at 3 1/4 miles, including Cue Card, Djakadam, Don Cossack and Don Poli.
Thistlecrack will be favored to win the richest race of his career in Thursday’s $429,000 World Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse.
