Considering the competition Winner’s Way has faced in recent months in Hong Kong, starting as the 131-pound highweight in Sunday’s Lusitano Challenge Cup at Sha Tin racecourse is a relief.
Winner’s Way was fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Jan. 22, and 10th in the Hong Kong Classic Cup on Feb. 19. Those races are the first two legs of the Hong Kong Triple Crown and were won by Rapper Dragon, who won the Hong Kong Derby last weekend to sweep the series.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – What a racehorse Zarkava was. During 2007 and 2008, she started seven times and won seven times. She beat Goldikova and the top-class filly Dar Re Mi and ended her unbeaten career by winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, March 26, 2017)
RACE 1: #1 Aeroluminance, #6 High Speed Metro, #7 My Folks, #11 Win Chance
RACE 2: #8 Good Choice Ahead, #2 Argentum, #7 Golden Achiever, #3 Ashkiyr
RACE 3: #8 Sunshine Universe, #12 Both Lucky, #13 Gallant Rock, #2 Jolly Convergence
RACE 4: #5 Sakura Fighter, #6 Bolshoi Ballet, #3 Bond Elegance, #4 Money Money
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Postponed could become the first repeat winner of the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse. Could – but not necessarily will.
Postponed is the likely favorite in the 1 1/2-mile grass race, but he will have to improve upon his performance at Meydan three weeks ago, when he finished second in the Dubai City of Gold, a race he was expected to win.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Everyone knows Bob Baffert likes joking around. He likes it so much that he even will kid about returning to Dubai last weekend for the first time since he suffered a heart attack when he was here in 2012 to run Game On Dude in the Dubai World Cup.
“I e-mailed my doctor,” Baffert said. “I told him I’m coming in and to be on red alert, to be there at the paddock ready with the paddles.”
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – In American racing, they call an honest horse who grinds his way start after start into regular purse earnings without ever dominating his competition a “check-getter.” Hoppertunity is a check-getter on about the grandest scale imaginable.
“He’s made $4 million nickel and diming,” said trainer Bob Baffert.
There are big checks to he handed out after Saturday night’s races at Meydan in Dubai. Hoppertunity got one of those last year when he finished third in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, and he is back for another try this year.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Arrogate will break from post 9 on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse when he tries to add the $10 million Dubai World Cup to consecutive wins in the Travers Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and, most recently, the $12 million Pegasus World Cup.
“I didn’t want the 1 or the 14,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “Nine is fine.”
The Japanese horse Apollo Kentucky drew the rail, while Mubtaahij, who was second in the 2016 World Cup, must cope with post 14. Gun Runner, who would look a major threat in this race without Arrogate, drew well in post 5.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Owner Starlight Racing has sold a half-interest in Neolithic days before the horse starts in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, according to a news release from Starlight.
Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing has agreed to purchase a half-share of Neolithic from Starlight, and the horse will run in Quatar Racing’s silks on Saturday night at Meydan. The release said Neolithic will return to the U.S. following his start here in Dubai and will continue to be trained by Todd Pletcher.
Brett Davis - Selections
R1 - 6-2-5-1
R2 - 4-6-3-11
R3 - 4-9-7-6
R4 - 6-3-8-7
R5 - 1-8-12-2
R6 - 10-4-9-3
R7 - 9-2-4-7
R8 - 5-12-2-8
Best - R1 N6 King Winsa
2nd Best - R7 N9 Marvel Hero
Longshot - R3 N4 Golden Chopsticks
Best Play - R3 Q/QP 4,7,9
Paul Lally:
R1 1-2-4-5
R2 6-11-4-1
R3 4-1-7-2
R4 6-7-5-1
R5 8-4-2-12
R6 3-6-5-10
R7 2-4-9-1
R8 2-12-4-5
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Trainer Luis Carvajal confirmed Tuesday that Imperial Hint has been scratched from the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup card Saturday. High On Life has taken his spot in the race, which has a full field of 14 with post positions to be drawn Wednesday.
