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.
The three American runners in this year's Dubai World Cup are better qualified to bring back a trophy than any group of horses that preceded them since the race moved to Meydan Racecourse.
The $5 million Sheema Classic over about 1 1/2 miles on turf Saturday at Meydan Racecourse lacks the depth of the Duty Free, but it has Gentildonna, the star Japanese filly who swept the Japanese Fillies Triple Crown and won the Japan Cup over males and older rivals late last year.
Little Mike has made a career bucking expectations. His connections believe Little Mike can lead all the way in the $5 million Duty Free at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Mental delivered a decisive victory in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint at Meydan on Feb. 14, his synthetic-surface debut, making him the horse to beat Saturday night in the Group 1, $2 million Golden Shaheen.
