The World Racing Championship - which last year included the Arlington Million, the Canadian International, the Breeders' Cup Classic and Turf, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the Japan Cup among its 13 races - will not be staged this year as its organizers regroup.
Organizers of the series plan to meet with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities to propose a merit award system to recognize the best horses on the international scene.
Linngari led virtually throughout at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night to take the Group 3, $200,000 Al Rashidiya, the first of three local preps for the $5 million Dubai Duty Free on March 25.
A 4-year-old Irish-bred Indian Ridge colt, Linngari dueled early with Alayan before taking over under Ryan Moore at the five-sixteenths pole. He held on to defeat the fast-closing Greys Inn by a half-length, getting the 1 1/8 miles in an indifferent 1:51.27 on a turf course labeled good to firm. Latino Magic was another length behind in third, with Trademark fourth.
A trio of European listed race winners could have Thursday night's running of the Group 3, $200,000 Al Rashidiya all to themselves at Nad Al Sheba. The highlight of an eight-race, $950,000 card, the 1 1/8-mile Al Rashidiya is the first of three course-and-distance preps for the $5 million Dubai Duty Free on March 25.
NEW YORK - The coronation of Hurricane Run as the top-rated horse on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings came as no surprise to anyone familiar with his exploits in Europe this past year. His rating of 130 left him five pounds clear of runners-up Motivator and Shamardal on the 3-year-old list; six pounds ahead of the top-rated American 3-year-old, Afleet Alex; two pounds in front of the world's top-ranked American, Ghostzapper; and five in front of Breeders' Cup Classic champ Saint Liam.
The Brazilian-bred Heart Alone threw down the gauntlet on Thursday to American sprinters considering a run in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, speeding to an impressive victory in the Group 3, $200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint at Nad Al Sheba.
Under Michael Kinane, Heart Alone took the lead halfway through the straight six-furlong dash and crossed the line 3 3/4 lengths in front of local favorite Conroy, stopping the clock in 1:10.17 on a fast track. Last year's Golden Shaheen second- and third-place finishers, Tropical Star and Botanical, were fifth and 12th.
Trainer Richard Mandella has nominated three of his Grade 2 winners - Unbridled Energy, Minister Eric, and Congrats - to the $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba, seeking a repeat of his 2004 victory with Pleasantly Perfect in the world's richest race on March 25.
Unbridled Energy and Minister Eric, winners of the last two runnings of the San Fernando Breeders' Cup Handicap at Santa Anita, and Congrats, who ran fifth in last year's World Cup, are among the 42 U.S. horses on the list of 159 free nominations to the 1 1/4-mile World Cup.
Tropical Star and Botanical will square off Thursday night at Nad Al Sheba in the Group 3, $200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint, the first local step on the road to the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 25.
Second and third behind Saratoga County in last year's Golden Shaheen, both are proven performers over Nad Al Sheba's straight six-furlong dirt course, but both are returning to action after long absences.
Russian Pearl, one of five Tony Cruz-trained runners in the $1.034 million Stewards Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, outdueled Best Gift to take first prize in the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown on Sunday.
Sent off at 7-1, Russian Pearl, a 5-year-old New Zealand-bred son of Soviet Star, prevailed by a short head under Gerald Mosse, getting the mile on good to firm turf in 1:35.10. The Duke was 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third, with Bullish Luck, sluggish early on, closing mildly for eighth, 3 1/2 lengths behind the winner.
Bullish Luck defends his Group 1 Stewards Cup title at Sha Tin on Sunday when 14 will start in the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown for older horses.
Co-rated with the Japanese-trained Asakusa Den'en as Asia's leading miler on the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, Bullish Luck is one of five horses in the one-mile, $1.034 million contest who will be saddled by Tony Cruz.