Pleasantly Perfect a Dubai prospect

Pleasantly Perfect, winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic, heads a list of 84 nominees to the $6 million Dubai World Cup, which will be run for the ninth time at Nad Al Sheba on March 27.

If Pleasantly Perfect, a 5-year-old son of Pleasant Colony, goes to Dubai, he will be trying to break a run of close calls in the world's richest race for trainer Richard Mandella. Mandella trainees Soul of the Matter, Siphon, and Malek finished second to Cigar, Singspiel, and Almutawakel in the Group 1 race at 1 1/4 miles.

Pleasantly Perfect is joined on the list of nominees by Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide; Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Medaglia d'Oro; and Congaree, whose trainer, Bob Baffert, has won the World Cup with Silver Charm in 1998 and Captain Steve in 2001.

Also nominated are Champion Stakes winner Rakti, Arlington Million runner-up Kaieteur, as well as Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva and current Japan Cup Dirt favorite Admire Don.

Three other Breeders' Cup winners may make the trip to Dubai for other races on the $15.25 million World Cup card.

The Mandella-trained Turf winner, Johar, currently in Japan preparing for the Nov. 30 Japan Cup, tops the list for the $2 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

The Distaff winner, Adoration, is named to the $2 million Dubai Duty Free, as is defending champ Ipi Tombe.

Cajun Beat and the four who chased him home in the Breeders' Cup Sprint - Bluesthestandard, Shake You Down, Posse, and Yankee Gentleman - are all nominated to the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen.