DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – It took Postponed 12 starts to win his first Group 1 race, but he did not waste much time getting his second.
Jockey Andrea Atzeni was on the right horse Saturday night in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse, and he gave Postponed a perfect ride. Atzeni and Postponed drafted behind a horse while perched two wide, tipped three deep turning into the homestretch, and went on to a two-length victory over the fine Japanese horse Duramente.
ARCADIA, Calif.- Hoppertunity finished third behind California Chrome in Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.
Being behind California Chrome is a familiar position for Hoppertunity.
The 5-year-old Hoppertunity has been chasing California Chrome for the last two years. They were first and second in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in 2014; second and third behind Shared Belief in the San Antonio in February 2015; and first and third in the San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 9.
Muarrab, a fixture at Dubai tracks in recent years, scored a mild upset to edge the star Florida sprinter X Y Jet in Saturday’s $2 million Golden Shaheen Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
The result was only decided in the final strides.
Muarrab, who paid $15.80 in American pools, finished a neck in front of X Y Jet after the two fought through the stretch together. A patient ride from jockey Paul Hanagan was arguably the difference.
Marathon races come naturally for Vazirabad.
On Saturday in the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse, Vazirabad extended his winning streak to six races with a hard-fought win in the Group 2 race at two miles. The Dubai Gold Cup was Vazirabad’s first start outside of France and the longest race of his career.
The 4-year-old gelding overcame a troubled flight from France earlier in the week and a slow start to win the richest race of his eight-race career.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Doug Watson walked out of the Meydan winner’s circle after the Godolphin Mile, did a quick local TV hit, then whirled, slightly flustered, looking for assistance. He spotted John Ferguson of Godolphin, walked up to him, and said, “John, who do I talk to? I’ve never won one of these things!”
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – X Y Jet once was a wild horse, unruly and difficult to handle, but he has focused that energy into being a racehorse, channeling his inner demons into brilliant speed on the track. And now X Y Jet looks poised to become the latest American-based winner of the $2 million Golden Shaheen on the World Cup card here Saturday night.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Girl power could hold sway in the $1 million UAE Derby, where the 3-year-old filly Polar River will be heavily favored and the main chance at an upset comes from another filly, the Argentine-bred Vale Dori. One filly has won this race, Khawlah in 2011.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Godolphin from the front or Godolphin from behind?
That could prove the pivotal question Saturday in the $6 million Dubai Turf, in which Godolphin horses could be racing first and last in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile grass race.
