Rayya likely for Kentucky Oaks after UAE Derby

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rayya, who has been based in Dubai this winter, will ship to the U.S. and join trainer Bob Baffert’s stable after she starts Saturday night in the $2 million UAE Derby. If things go as intended, Rayya will race May 4 in the Kentucky Oaks.

“That’s the plan, if all goes well,” Baffert said Monday in a text message.

Rayya is an American-bred Tiz Wonderful filly owned by Sheikh Rashid Humaid bin Nuaimi and currently trained by Doug Watson. After winning a maiden race here in December, she finished second in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial and in the UAE 1000 Guineas before breaking through to win the UAE Oaks by almost four lengths. That race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, which determines the 14 horses that can start in the Kentucky Oaks if the race overfills, and the 50 points Rayya earned are enough to make the field.