North America back in World Cup with a new routine

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A year ago the Dubai-based trainer Satish Seemar watched as his horse North America lost all chance in the 2018 Dubai World Cup by flubbing the start. But because of a change in what his horse hears, Seemar thinks we might see North America win the World Cup here Saturday night.

North America, during the 2017-18 Dubai racing season, used to go to the starting gate with his ears plugged, a tactic meant to calm him. The plugs would be removed in the gate, and when that happened in the World Cup the crush of noise rushing into North America’s auditory system stunned him, leaving him flat-footed when a quick break was essential to establish the forward position he needs for his best.

This, at least, is Seemar’s theory for last year’s disappointment on a night North America appeared to have a real chance. Now 7, North America, a gelded son of Dubawi and the Yankee Victor mare Northern Mischief, began his career in Europe but immediately made a splash here when he transitioned to Meydan dirt during the 2016-17 season. Seemar thought he’d win the 2017 Godolphin Mile, but heavy rain turned the dirt into a sea of slop through which North America floundered.

Then came the World Cup flop. North America had beaten eventual World Cup winner Thunder Snow by more than five lengths in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 but beat no one in the World Cup.

This season, Seemar pulled the plugs – literally – on North America. “We haven’t used them at all,” he said at a press conference Wednesday morning. “We schooled him here before the races, when they’re trying the sound system – nothing is bothering him.”

Another pre-race change: Seemar this year has ensured a member of the gate crew attends to North America in the gate to keep him settled. North America won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 by nine lengths and won Round 2 by more than five lengths. A year earlier, Seemar sent his horse out for all three rounds of the series. It was left unsaid, but maybe that also took something away from the gelding on the big night. This time, Seemar skipped Round 3 to keep North America fresh, and at the post-position draw Wednesday, North America’s was the first name called, giving Seemar, who is based nearby at Zabeel Stables, the chance to pick the starting spot he wanted, post 3.

“He did his usual hack canter this morning over one mile, worked five days out Monday going 800 meters around the track, just his maintenance work. He come out well, he’s eating good – now we just have to wait for these hours,” said Seemar.

Often, the World Cup is won by a horse shipping from North America. This time, it could be won by a horse named North America.