Seven-year-old Reynaldothewizard has raced in blinkers his last three starts, and he has won them all. His newfound prowess had produced a handicap win and a victory in a Group 3 stakes this winter, and on Saturday night, Reynaldothewizard hit the jackpot, winning the Group 1, $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Trainer Mike de Kock called Shea Shea his best hope of the World Cup card, and jockey Christophe Soumillon said he had no mount more live on the night. Shea Shea did not let them down, rallying down the outside of the course after getting an ideal trip to win the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint.
Lines of Battle earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby with his UAE Derby win and trainer Aidan O'Brien said he will be considered for the race.
Still a 3-year-old on Northern Hemisphere time, Soft Falling Rain was eligible to race in the age-restricted UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup card, but trainer Mike de Kock chose instead to tackle older horses at a shorter distance, and was rewarded with a three-quarter-length victory in the Group 3, $1 million Godolphin Mile.
Monterosso, the defending Dubai World Cup champion, was scratched from this year’s race early Saturday afternoon. No horse has ever won two editions of the $10 million World Cup, a streak that will continue at least until 2014.
Shea Shea looks like a formidable favorite in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint. Just ask the trainers of his strongest rivals.
Trainer Mike de Kock and Godolphin have six of the 16 entrants in the $1 million Godolphin Mile, though de Kock appears to hold the stronger hand.
The Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup came up a soft spot for a $1 million purse, but just getting the horses around the turf course in good order would be an improvement on last year’s edition.
Steve Andersen and Dan Illman preview the 2013 Dubai World Cup card from Meydan.
Eight thousand miles is a long way to travel for 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The math works out to about 47 miles per point. Still, the Derby points in great part compelled the connections of He’s Had Enough to ship the colt from California to Dubai for a start Saturday in the Group 2 UAE Derby.
