Round 2 goes to Best of the Bests

Best of the Bests scored an impressive victory in Round 2 of the Group 3 Maktoum Challenge at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night, but may yet bypass the Dubai World Cup.

Although Best of the Bests missed the break, jockey Frankie Dettori soon had him on the lead, and he stayed there the rest of way, defeating Royal Tryst by 3 1/2 lengths, getting the 1 1/8 miles on dirt in 1:48.63. State Shinto was third, China Visit fourth, and Curule fifth, while Skoozi, winner of Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge, was sixth.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said that Best of the Bests may go next in the Godolphin Mile rather than the Dubai World Cup on March 23. Sakhee, Godolphin's favorite for the $6 million World Cup, is probable for Round 3 of the the Maktoum Challenge on Feb. 28 or an allowance race the same week.