Trainer Jorge Navarro runs a large string in Florida, but he has been in Dubai now for close to two weeks, having arrived two days before X Y Jet, the horse he starts Saturday in the Golden Shaheen. It’s a significant time commitment, and Navarro hopes it pays off Saturday night.
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DRF Past Performances
Basically, since Mubtaahij crossed the wire eight lengths best last March 28 in the UAE Derby, Saturday’s Dubai World Cup has been his major objective. But the race is nearly upon us, and hardly anyone this week is viewing Mubtaahij as a major World Cup contender.
Mubtaahij returned from a long layoff surely needing his first race back, but his fifth-place finish in the Feb. 4 Firebreak Stakes was surprisingly flat. While Mubtaahij improved marginally second out, he still was just fourth March 5 in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The names of 12 horses had passed the entry box when entries closed Monday morning in Dubai for Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup.
The list of final declarations doesn’t include Intilaaq, who made the set of probable entrants distributed last week by the Dubai Racing Club and was entered instead in the $6 million Dubai Turf, but the five Americans – California Chrome, Frosted, Mshawish, Keen Ice, and Hoppertunity – are set to take their chance Saturday night at 9 local time, which is 1 p.m. Eastern.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – So famous was Cigar in 1996 that the Associated Press sent out a fairly detailed news story the day after the horse touched down in Dubai, where he would race in the inaugural Dubai World Cup.
“Cigar, the spectacular Thoroughbred looking to extend his winning streak to 14 races, arrived in Dubai on Monday, completing a 16 1/2-hour trip from Florida to the Persian Gulf.”
CHELTENHAM, England - Sprinter Sacre completed one of the most remarkable comebacks for a top-class horse in recent memory when the 10-year-old gelding won the $500,500 Queen Mother Champion Chase for the second time on Wednesday.
Sprinter Sacre won the race in 2013 at what was believed to be the height of his career. He missed the 2014 running because of an erratic heart beat and was pulled up last year when considered past his prime.
Wednesday, Sprinter Sacre turned back the clock, delivering one of his finest performances in his third consecutive win of the season.
A field of 13, including five Americans, is expected to be entered for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, according to a Wednesday release from the Dubai Racing Club of probable runners on the March 26 World Cup program. Final entries for nine stakes worth $30 million are due at 9 a.m. Monday, Dubai time.
CHELTENHAM, England – With 2015 winner Coneygree sidelined with injury, Friday’s $810,175 Cheltenham Gold Cup lacks a standout. There are several accomplished horses who are capable of winning the Grade 1 race at 3 1/4 miles, including Cue Card, Djakadam, Don Cossack, and Don Poli.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is England’s top weight-for-age race for steeplechasers.
As of Wednesday morning, Don Cossack was the 3-1 favorite with British bookmakers, a slight choice over Djakadam at 7-2, and Cue Card and Don Poli at 4-1. The race drew a field of 10 and is run over 22 fences.
CHELTENHAM, England - Thistlecrack needs about 2 1/2 miles to reach his best in a race.
An 8-year-old gelding, Thistlecrack won 3 of 7 starts at distances of about two miles to 2 1/2 miles early in his career. In the last year, he is 4 for 5 at three miles, including wins in three Grade 1 hurdle races, and has emerged as the top long-distance hurdler in England.
Thistlecrack will be favored to win the richest race of his career in Thursday’s $429,000 World Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse.