Turf race in Dubai next for Platinum Warrior

ARCADIA, Calif. – Platinum Warrior, the winner of the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday, is expected to start on the Dubai World Cup program on March 30 at Meydan.

Three races are under consideration, trainer John Sadler said: the Dubai Turf at 1 1/8 miles and Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles, both Group 1, $6 million races, and the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at two miles. Sadler said Platinum Warrior is most likely to run in one of the $6 million races, pending discussions between Sadler and owner Yuesheng Zhang of China and his European-based racing advisors.

“We’ll make a decision when we get a little closer,” Sader said on Sunday.

In the long term, Sadler considers the 4-year-old Platinum Warrior to be a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which will be run here in November.

In the $202,808 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf, Platinum Warrior was fourth early and disputed the pace on the backstretch before pulling clear to lead by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Shane Foley. Platinum Warrior ($34.40) held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Epical.