Mendelssohn sandwiched by rivals in UAE Derby

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Fields and post positions for the Group 1 races on the World Cup card are to be drawn Wednesday, but that process took place for the other four races on the card Monday.

As expected, nine are entered in the $2 million UAE Derby, a major qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. Mendelssohn, the Aidan O’Brien-trained likely favorite, has post 4 and is drawn between his main rivals, locally based Gold Town in 5 and the American shipper Reride in 3.

Fourteen are entered in the $1 million Godolophin Mile, a race that includes only one American runner, Economic Model, who landed post 8. There are 16 entrants in the $1 million Gold Cup, a turf marathon, including the American horse Run Time (post 2), and the race’s two-time winner and likely favorite Vazirabad (post 5).

Fifteen purebred Arabians will contest the $1 million Kahayla Classic.