Mystic Guide works five furlongs for Dubai World Cup

Mystic Guide completed his major preparation for the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 27 at Meydan Racecourse with a five-furlong breeze early Friday morning at Fair Grounds, a work trainer Mike Stidham called “a beautiful move.”

Working solo, breaking off at the half-mile pole and timed to the seven-furlong marker, Mystic Guide clocked 1:00.20 with a strong gallop-out. The work was his first since winning the Feb. 27 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park by six lengths, the performance that punched Mystic Guide’s ticket to Dubai. Owing to the relatively short gap between starts, Friday’s breeze will be Mystic Guide’s only major work toward the World Cup, though he could well have a blowout at Meydan the week of the race.

“We’ll just see how he ships and decide if we do a little something over there, but even if we do, it won’t be a lot,” said Stidham, who trains Mystic Guide for Godolphin, the 4-year-old colt’s breeder.

Making his 4-year-old debut in the Razorback, Mystic Guide got a career-best 108 Beyer Speed Figure, but running fast off the shelf does not seem to have led to any visible regression.

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“His energy level is as good as I’ve ever seen it, and his willingness in his work this morning was excellent. If anything, he seems to be doing even better now,” said Stidham.

Mystic Guide is the World Cup favorite in overseas antepost wagering. The World Cup earlier this week lost Tacitus to an apparently minor injury, but Sleepy Eyes Todd – who has been in Dubai for a few weeks – Jesus’ Team, and Title Ready are expected to join Mystic Guide as U.S.-based World Cup starers. The flight carrying all the American horses intended for Dubai races departs from Florida on March 17.

Obligatory to Fair Grounds Oaks

Obligatory, the Juddmonte Farms homebred 3-year-old filly who looked very promising in a second-start, one-turn-mile maiden score Feb. 7 at Gulfstream, is a likely runner in the March 27 Fair Grounds Oaks, trainer Bill Mott confirmed Friday.

Obligatory, by Curlin out of Uno Duo, had an eventful trip in her maiden win but overcame all that was thrown at her to win by going away by 2 1/2 lengths while earning an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.

Clairiere and Travel Column, who have traded decisions in their last two starts, the Golden Rod last fall at Churchill and the Rachel Alexandra last month at Fair Grounds, head the likely Oaks runners.