Smith to ride Forever Unbridled in Dubai World Cup

Mike Smith will ride Forever Unbridled in the Dubai World Cup, trainer Dallas Stewart said Monday.

The mount on Forever Unbridled was open because John Velazquez, who rode the mare to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, her most recent race, has important mounts at Gulfstream Park, including Audible in the Florida Derby, on the same day as the Dubai World Cup, March 31.

Velazquez had been a late replacement for Joel Rosario in the BC Distaff, and owner Charles Fipke paid a double jockey fee in order to make the change for that race. Rosario had ridden Forever Unbridled six races in a row and had won on her in her two starts before the Breeders’ Cup.

Smith has ridden Forever Unbridled once, the pair finishing 11th in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks. Smith won his first Dubai World Cup last year aboard Arrogate.

Forever Unbridled is scheduled for her final work at Fair Grounds this Friday before departing for Dubai by way of Florida early next week.