Thu, 03/31/2016 - 10:29

De Kock sends Mubtaahij, Vale Dori to U.S. trainers

Barbara D. Livingston\
Mubtaahij, shown training on June 3 at Belmont, will represent his sire, Dubawi, in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

Mike de Kock, who trains in South Africa, Dubai, and England, is sending two of his best dirt horses, the 4-year-old Mubtaahij and Vale Dori, a 4-year-old filly on Northern Hemisphere time, to U.S. trainers for summer campaigns. Mubtaahij goes to Kiaran McLaughlin and Vale Dori to Bob Baffert.

Sun, 03/27/2016 - 14:27

California Chrome to fly home Thursday

California Chrome had a quiet Sunday at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates a day after his dramatic win in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father, trainer Art Sherman, said in an email that California Chrome “came out of his race great.”

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 16:56

Buffering latest veteran to win Al Quoz Sprint

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – There is something about the Al Quoz Sprint that loves a graybeard. Sole Power won the straight-course turf dash at age 8 last year, and while he could only muster a 10th-place finish this year at 9, Buffering scored a three-quarter-length win over Ertijaal at age, say, 8 1/2.

Buffering, Australian-bred and owned, is an 8-year-old on Southern Hemisphere time but 9 on the Northern Hemisphere breeding calendar. But spare the details – he’s no spring chicken. This was Buffering’s 52nd career start in addition to being his best one.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 16:39

Real Steel thrills Japanese fans in Dubai Turf

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – It was not the breathtaking performance of countryman Just a Way in 2014, but a Japanese horse, Real Steel, won the $6 million Dubai Turf for the second time in three years.

The Japanese, who love their racing and were at the races Saturday night in force, had barely finished celebrating Lani’s win in the UAE Derby when Real Steel, overcoming a wide draw under Ryan Moore, saw off a solid showing from Euro Charline to win the Dubai Turf at Meydan by a half-length.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 16:18

Postponed proves best in Dubai Sheema Classic

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.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 15:59

Hoppertunity can't catch California Chrome once again

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.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 15:35

California Chrome, Espinoza add Dubai World Cup to trophy case

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Has anyone asked Victor Espinoza about bringing about world peace, ending hunger, turning lead into gold?

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 12:32

Muarrab edges X Y Jet in Dubai Golden Shaheen

Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club
Muarrab beats X Y Jet in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on Saturday.

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.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 12:00

Lani wins UAE Derby, punches ticket to Kentucky Derby

Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins
Lani (center) wins the UAE Derby on Saturday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Lani became the first Japanese horse to win the Group 2, $2 million UAE Derby and for his next trick will try to become the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 09:43

Vazirabad by a neck in Dubai Gold Cup

Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club
Vazirabad and jockey Christophe Soumillon win the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday.

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.