NEW YORK - While most of the talk in Dubai this week has centered on Shamardal and his chances of making it to the Kentucky Derby, it is Dubawi who has been the most impressive of Godolphin's many classic hopefuls at this still early stage.

Grand Hombre, the lone Godolphin horse entered in Saturday's $6 million , was scratched from the race on Friday. Grand Hombre bruised a foot earlier in the week and had not sufficiently recovered to run in the 1 1/4-mile race, said the Godolphin racing manager, Simon Crisford.

"He was better today but we decided not to try it," Crisford said on Friday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Roses in May is a strong favorite to become the fifth American-based horse to win the $6 million at Nad Al Sheba racecourse on Saturday. A victory in this desert country, which borders Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf, would provide the world-class milestone missing from the career of Roses in May, a Grade 1 winner and earner of $1.8 million.

If Roses in May beats his 12 opponents, including three other American-based runners, he would join Cigar, Silver Charm, Captain Steve, and Pleasantly Perfect as winners from the United States.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Jilted by Eclipse Award voters last winter, top sprinter Pico Central can give owner Gary Tanaka and trainer Paulo Lobo a measure of revenge with a victory in Saturday's $2 million Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

The world's richest sprint, the Golden Shaheen is worth $1.2 million to the winner. If Pico Central, a heavy favorite, wins he would surpass in one race the $1,139,000 earned from a seven-race campaign last year that included wins in the San Carlos, Carter, and Metropolitan handicaps and the Vosburgh Stakes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The $2 million UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba racecourse on Saturday is a one-shot for Shamardal, the European champion 2-year-old male of 2004.

If he wins, Shamardal would likely be sent to the Kentucky Derby, adding an intriguing international contender to the May 7 race. He would represent the best hope of the Maktoum family's Godolphin Racing to win America's biggest race.

A loss in the UAE Derby, which would be the first of Shamardal's career, would put him on course for a return to England and turf racing.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The already outstanding chances for an American-based winner in Saturday's $6 million at Nad Al Sheba racecourse were greatly enhanced on Wednesday when the four candidates - Choctaw Nation, Congrats, Lundy's Liability, and Roses in May - drew post positions that should help their running styles.

Roses in May, expected to be a strong favorite, drew post 12 in 13-horse field, the widest draw among the American entrants. He is expected to be part of the pace.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Slightly embarrassed by their lack of success in the Kentucky Derby in recent years, the Maktoum family and their powerful Godolphin Racing stable are turning to the European champion 2-year-old Shamardal for a potential crack at America's top race on May 7.

Shamardal, unbeaten in three starts and the top 2-year-old male in Europe last year, will make his 3-year-old debut in the $2 million UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Saturday, on a program that includes the $6 million .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The already outstanding chances for an American-based winner in Saturday's $6 million at Nad Al Sheba racecourse were greatly enhanced Wednesday, when the four hopefuls - Choctaw Nation, Congrats, Lundy's Liability, and Roses in May - drew post positions that should help their running styles.

Roses in May, expected to be a strong favorite, drew post 12 in the 13-horse field, the widest draw for an American challenger. He is expected to be part of the pace.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Roses in May was barely off the track after a second-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic last October when owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Dale Romans decided on a goal for 2005.

They would to point Roses in May for the $6 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race.

So far, the plan is on track. Roses in May is favored to beat a field of international stakes winners on Saturday in the Dubai World Cup, including three challengers from the United States: Choctaw Nation, Congrats, and Lundy's Liability.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Michael de Kock, the champion trainer of South Africa who campaigned Horse Chestnut in Florida in 2000, is preparing for another assault on the United States later this year.

De Kock has contacted New York Racing Association officials about racing a small stable at Saratoga this summer. Pending results on Saturday in the $2 million UAE Derby, de Kock could have a runner in the United States as soon as the Kentucky Derby on May 7.