Two dozen U.S. horses nominated to Dubai World Cup

Bayern, Toast of New York, California Chrome, and Shared Belief - the first four finishers of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1 - are among 296 horses from 15 countries nominated for the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

The $10 million Dubai World Cup is one of eight Thoroughbred stakes worth at least $1 million at Meydan on March 28. There are 24 horses from the United States nominated for the Dubai World Cup, which will be run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt.

Meydan had a Tapeta synthetic surface from its opening in 2010 until 2014. Last year, there were no American-based runners in the Dubai World Cup for the first time in the 19-year history of the race. The race was run on a dirt track at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse from 1996 to 2009.

The Dubai World Cup has been mentioned as an early spring goal for Bayern and California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year. California Chrome is scheduled to make his 2015 debut in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7. Bayern is considered doubtful for the San Antonio after fighting a foot problem in recent weeks, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Of the 296 horses nominated for the Dubai World Cup, 218 are based in the UAE, including the former American runners Candy Boy and Footbridge. Toast of New York, trained in Britain by Jamie Osborne, is one of 30 horses from Europe nominated for the World Cup.

For the eight Thoroughbred races, there are 92 American-based horses nominated, including Main Sequence, the winner of the BC Turf, for the $6 million Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Some American runners were nominated for more than one race. Constitution, the winner of the 2014 Florida Derby, was nominated for the Dubai World Cup and is among 17 American-based horses nominated for the $1 million Godolphin Mile.