Watson takes UAE training title

Doug Watson clinched his second United Arab Emirates trainer's title at Jebel Ali on Friday when Janadel won a seven-furlong handicap in the last UAE meet before Dubai World Cup Night on March 29.

With his 35th win from 367 starters at the 2007-08 UAE season, Watson, a former assistant to Kiaran McLaughlin, has a one-victory lead on Musabah Al Muhairi, who will not have a starter on World Cup Night.

Watson, whose horses have earned $1,434,837 at Nad Al Sheba, Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, and Sharjah this season, is scheduled to have three runners on the big night: Mutamarres in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Rock Ascot in the UAE Derby and Green Coast in the Godolphin Mile. Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who is the leading trainer at Nad Al Sheba's Dubai Racing Carnival this winter, is third in the overall UAE trainer standings with 24 wins from 113 starts. Suroor, however, does lead all UAE trainers in earnings at $3,106,147.