AmWest Entertainment, Inc.

Record Wagering on 2012 Dubai Racing in Americas

    

     PROSPECT, KENTUCKY, April 10, 2012—Wagering throughout the Western Hemisphere on the Dubai World Cup program, as administered by Prospect, Kentucky-based AmWest Entertainment, reached a new all-time record high this year of $5.1-million.

     Total betting in North and South America and the Caribbean on seven Thoroughbred races, headlined by the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1), rose 19.5% from the amount wagered on the same seven races in 2011. The average wagered per race was approximately $728,500 with first post time at 9:10 a.m. EDT on March 31.

     Another record was established by combined handle from the Dubai World Cup program and the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the 15-day international festival that began on January 5 and extended through March 17, which was up 9% from 2011 totals. That record was reached despite unprecedented early post times, set in Dubai, for some days that equated to a challenging 6 a.m. for East Coast players and even earlier for others across the Americas.

      A third all-time record was set on Super Saturday, the prep day for the Dubai World Cup program that featured five rich group stakes including two Group 1 events. Wagering on Super Saturday, March 10, grew by 14.6% compared to 2011 totals for what had been a Super Thursday card.

     “We are very proud to have set new records this year for wagering on Dubai racing, which is the epitome of outstanding international competition,” said AmWest Chief Executive Officer Nelson Clemmens, who attended the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. “Our strong promotional programs that support elite global racing are generating new revenue for racing and horsemen in the United States, Canada and other regions of the Americas through handle while offering players superior racing and wagering action with full fields of exceptional runners and formful racing.”

      “It's very encouraging to see U.S. fans continuing to be so interested in the Dubai World Cup, and the record figures are a tribute to the work AmWest has put into promoting the Dubai World Cup Carnival and the big day itself and a reflection of the strength of the product generated by the top class racing from Meydan,” said Terry Spargo, who oversees worldwide broadcasting of Dubai racing.

      Following its record Dubai season, AmWest Entertainment soon will publicly launch its revolutionary wagering platform at www.AmWager.com, which features the industry’s most advanced betting features and functions for both professional and casual players.

For more information, contact: AmWest CEO Nelson Clemmens, 502-292-1075

Sutherland Excited About Historic Ride in Dubai

       Just breaking from the starting gate will make the jockey the first woman to ride in the world’s richest race. If she should win it—and Game On Dude’s tactical speed will be a strong asset on Meydan Racecourse’s synthetic surface —she will achieve something that women in the Middle East (or most anywhere else) could not even have dreamed about just a few years ago.

World Cup Fields Loaded with Elite Runners from Around Globe

      To win the prize, they will have to defeat a dozen likely challengers led by Australian champion and multiple European Group 1 winner So You Think from Ballydoyle; the formidable Japanese trio of champion Transcend (second in the 2011 World Cup), 20-time stakes winner Smart Falcon and classic winner Eishin Flash; German champion Zazou and the Godolphin-trained army of Monterosso (third last year), Prince Bishop, Mendip and Capponi.

     American speed will be on display in the $2-mllion Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at 1200 meters (about six furlongs) in the form of Grade 1 winners The Factor and Giant Ryan. They will vie to become the tenth American-based winner since the race was upgraded in 2000 but will have to defeat 2011 winner and Singapore Horse of the Year Rocket Man, Hong Kong Sprint (G1) winner Lucky Nine and South African Group 1 winner August Rush.

Super Lineup for Dubai’s Super Saturday of Rich Stakes

     Seven runners who have won or placed in North American Grade 1 events, led by Breeders’ Cup winner Regally Ready, are set to be in the lineup for Super Saturday, with first post at 8:05 a.m. EST.

American Stars Light Up Dubai World Cup Nominations

    The $10-million Dubai World Cup, the richest race on the globe, has drawn 36 nominations of American-based runners, including entries for all of America’s 2011 classic winners—Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Animal Kingdom, Preakness Stakes (G1) conqueror Shackleford and Belmont Stakes (G1) hero Ruler On Ice.

America’s World Cup team lands safely in Dubai

Deep American Team to Run on $26-million Dubai World Cup Program

AmWest, Horse Player Now host chats on Super Thursday, World Cup

Bin Suroor and de Kock both double-handed in Thursday's UAE Oaks

   Al Tayer Motors join Meydan once again at this week's 2011 Dubai International Racing Carnival meeting and the seven race, all Thoroughbred, card is highlighted by the 10th running of the UAE Oaks. 

Borel Masters International Jockey Competition in Dubai

     In a storybook finish to his first venture to Dubai, American Calvin Borel won the two-day Meydan Masters international jockey competition that concluded on February 18, prevailing over the best riders in the world.

     Borel had to call on all his skills just to avoid an unfortunate incident in the final race of the competition when the girth slipped on his mount, Atlantis Star. He was able to pull up the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt and received one point for the last-place finish.

Profiles of the Worldwide Jockey Stars Riding in the Meydan Masters

    Calvin Borel was born on November 7, 1966, in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. Following a tradition in his home state, Borel began riding in match races at bush tracks at the age of eight. His older brother, Cecil, had briefly been a jockey but switched to training horses, and Borel spent long hours working with his brother and perfecting his craft. Borel began riding professionally at Delta Downs in Louisiana, where his brother was based. Known for his vibrant personality and a fearless daring, Borel has gained the nickname “Bo-rail” for his exploits in saving ground and guiding his mounts to victory along the inside rail. He scored a major win on longshot Seek Gold in the 2006 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs and he returned to Churchill that autumn to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on champion Street Sense. The following May, Borel won the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Street Sense in what would be his first win of an unprecedented streak of three winners in four years. His other Derby winners were Mine That Bird in 2009 and Super Saver in 2010. Borel’s most famous mount, however, is 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, who he rode to a historic victory in the Preakness Stakes (G1), picking her over his Derby winner. Last June, Borel reached another milestone when he joined Hall of Famer Pat Day as the only jockeys to ride 1,000 winners at Churchill Downs.

    William Buick was born on July 22, 1988, in Norway where his father, Walter, was eight times champion jockey of Scandinavia and his mother a dressage rider and showjumper. With such horsemanship in his blood, Buick took an early interest in racing and his natural talent soon became obvious. Described last year as “the brightest young talent in British racing,” Buick joined the stable of Andrew Balding and rode his first winner in September 2006 aboard Bank On Benny. He won back-to-back Apprentice Jockey of the Year awards in 2007 and 2008. In January 2010, he was hired as stable jockey for trainer John Gosden, who conditions many horses for members of the Maktoum family, and in March he won the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) aboard Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Dar Re Mi. Just five months later, Buick rode Debussy, who races for Princess Haya bint al Hussein of Jordan, to win the Arlington Million Stakes (G1) and prove he is a force to be reckoned with internationally. He holds both Danish and British citizenship.

    Frankie Dettori, was born on December 15, 1970, in Milan, Italy, the son of Gianfranco Dettori, who was a 13-time Italian champion jockey. He followed his father into racing and rode his first winner, Billy Pitt, at Turin Racecourse in November 1986. He was apprenticed to trainer Luca Cumani in England and won his first Group 1 race on the Cumani-trained Markofdistinction in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1). He began riding for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s global Godolphin stable in 1994 and has ridden champions around the world, including Dubai World Cup (G1) winners Dubai Millennium (2000), Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006). He is the only jockey to have won every race on the Dubai World Cup program, with his other winners including UAE Derby (G2) victors Essence of Dubai and Discreet Cat. Dettori, who has been champion jockey in England three times, also has won ten Breeders’ Cup races, including the Classic (G1) on Raven’s Pass in 2008 and the Turf (G1) in 2010 on Dangerous Midge, his fourth win that race. He made history in 1996 when he rode all seven winners at Ascot, a feat immortalized as his “Magnificent Seven.” Dettori fulfilled a lifelong ambition to win the Epsom Derby (G1) when he was victorious in 2007 aboard Authorized and he delighted the crowd that day, and on many other occasions, with one of his flamboyant flying dismounts.

   Maxime Guyon, born on May 7, 1989, is widely touted as the next star rider in France. Although his only family connection to racing came through his mother’s job in a Pari-Mutuel Urbain betting café, Guyon began his riding career in 2005 under the tutelage of master French trainer Andre Fabre. He gained his senior jockey license in 2008 and immediately became a leading rider. Guyon enjoyed a landmark season in 2010, with his victories including two-thirds of the French classic series aboard Lope de Vega as well as a Group 1 win in his first competition at Royal Ascot on Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Byword. Guyon also proved his mettle by besting all his competition in the Hermes Gallop international jockey challenge in Deauville, France, last summer and was invited to compete in the World Super Jockey Series in Japan. He will be the youngest rider in the Meydan Masters.

    Richard Hills was born on January 22, 1963, the son of trainer Barry Hills, younger brother of trainer John Hills and the twin brother of jockey Michael Hills. Hills rode his first winner at Doncaster in 1979 on Border Dawn while he was apprenticed to Harry Thomson Jones. In 1992, he became the second retainer to ride the horses of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) on Maroof in 1994 and in 1995 won his first British classic when he partnered Harayir to victory in the 1000 Guineas (G1). Following the retirement of Willie Carson in 1997, Hills was appointed as first jockey to Sheikh Hamdan and rewarded that promotion with victory in the Middle Park Stakes (G1) aboard Hayil. He finished that season in ninth place in the jockeys' standings with 85 wins. He followed up that year with Group 1 triumphs on Elnadim (July Cup) and Mujahid (Dewhurst Stakes) in 1998. The following year, Hills had a winning start to his season when he won the Dubai Duty Free (G3) on Altibr and completed a spectacular double aboard Almutawakel in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Hills has ridden in the UAE for the past 13 seasons and has won virtually all of the major Thoroughbred races there. His other victories on Dubai World Cup night are: UAE Derby (G2) (China Visit - 2000), the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) (Nayef - 2002) and the Dubai Kahayla Classic for purebred Arabians (Bopp Moon - 2003). Hills also won the inaugural Meydan Masters in 2010.

    Richard Hughes was born on January 11, 1973, the son of successful National Hunt trainer and former top jumps jockey Dessie Hughes. He started riding at age five and raced ponies while growing up, earning his first win in that circle at age eight. Working as an apprentice for his father as a teenager, he gained his first winner in August 1988. He moved to England in 1994 to ride for trainers Mick Channon and Richard Hannon and scored on his first Group 1 winner the following year, Posidonas, in the Gran Premio d’Italia (G1). For years, the versatile Hughes—who has also competed over jumps with success—rode as a retained jockey for Prince Khalid Abdullah, the owner of Juddmonte, piloting classic winners American Post and Nebraska Tornado as well as champion Oasis Dream. He continues to ride for Hannon, his father-in-law, and last year was aboard Group 1 winners Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin. Hughes has a following around the world and has been a recent star in India. In 2010, he rode the outstanding filly Jacqueline to remarkable wins in the Indian 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Oaks and Derby.

    Ryan Moore was born on September 18, 1983, in Brighton, England, and his father is highly regarded flat and jumps trainer Gary Moore; his brother, Jamie, is a successful steeplechase jockey. After serving as an apprentice to his father, Moore now rides primarily for Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Hannon. The champion British apprentice in 2000, Moore earned his first overall British jockey championship title in 2006 and followed up with additional titles in 2008 and 2009. He is perhaps best known in the United States for winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on Conduit in 2008 and 2009, but he has developed a following around the world for his work aboard international champion filly Snow Fairy, a classic winner in England who went on to capture major races in Japan and Hong Kong in 2010 and is a candidate for this year’s Dubai World Cup (G1). He also rides European champion Workforce, a record-breaking winner of the 2010 Epsom Derby (G1) who defeated older rivals in the Prix de l’Arc de Triompe (G1). Moore has been riding major stakes winners in Dubai since 2006 and is among the leaders in this year's Dubai International Racing Carnival.

    Gerald Mosse, born on January 3, 1968, the son of a trainer from the south of France, first sat on a horse at age three. After beginning his professional riding career in 1983, Mosse won the French apprentice jockey championship in 1984 while working for trainer Patrick Biancone. He was subsequently retained by trainer Francois Boutin and leading French owner Jean-Luc Lagardere. Mosse rode 1990 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Saumarez, who was co-owned by National Hockey League star Wayne Gretzky, and won five straight European races aboard the outstanding champion juvenile colt Arazi. Mosse later became the retained rider for the Aga Khan in France for eight years until 2001. At that time, he left for Hong Kong to ride on a regular basis. He has steered more than 50 international Group 1 winners, and his key wins include the 2001 Dubai Duty Free (G2) on Jim And Tonic. Mosse won the Silver Saddle for being the leading rider at the 2008 Shergar Cup in Britain. The jockey, who has ridden four Hong Kong Derby winners as well as Hong Kong superstar sprinter Sacred Kingdom, also made history in 2010 as the first French jockey to win Australia’s Melbourne Cup (G1) while ridding American-bred Americain.

    Johnny Murtagh, born on May 14, 1970, in Navan, Ireland, to jockey father John Murtagh, was a junior champion boxer and had trials at soccer for premier league clubs as a youth. But Murtagh took up his father’s occupation and became an apprentice to trainer John Oxx, riding his first winner at Limerick in 1987. He became Irish champion apprentice jockey in 1989, going on to win his first champion jockey title in 1995. He followed up with additional championship seasons in 1996 and 1998. While continuing his association with Oxx, who trains for the Aga Khan, Murtagh rode 18 Group 1 winners from 1992 to 2003. Murtagh also has long ridden at the top level in Dubai and was the United Arab Emirates champion jockey in the 1993-’94 season. He began riding as the primary jockey for Coolmore’s famed Ballydoyle stable in 2008 and held that post until he resigned last year, when he was immediately retained to ride all the horses owned by the Aga Khan in Ireland. Over the past three years, Murtagh brought the Ballydoyle team phenomenal success with stars including Duke of Marmalade, Yeats, Mastercraftsman and Henrythenavigator. One of the most reliably effective big race jockeys, he has ridden more than 100 international Group 1 winners worldwide. His wins in the United States include three Breeders’ Cup races, most recently on Man of Iron in the 2009 Marathon, and he has ridden three UAE classic winners, including Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy, who he steered to victory in the 2007 UAE 2000 Guineas.

    Tiago Pereira, born on November 29, 1976, in Brazil, began riding professionally in his homeland in 1994, winning 96 races at Cristal Racecourse in his first season. Pereira teamed with French trainer Pascal Bary and Swedish-born but Brazilian-based owner Stefan Friborg to win the 2010 Dubai World Cup (G1), the first race in history bearing a $10-million purse, with the tenacious Gloria de Campeao. In addition to Brazil and Dubai, Pereira also has ridden in France, Singapore and the United States, and he has won more than 1,750 races.

     Olivier Peslier was born on January 12, 1973 in the village of Cosse-Le-Vivien in west central France. After completing a course at the School for Jockeys in Moulin a Vent, he was apprenticed to Patrick Biancone, following other successful jockeys such as Gerald Mosse, Eric Legrix and Dominique Boeuf. Peslier has since graduated to become one of the finest jockey's France has produced. He rode his first winner at Rouen on March 12, 1989, and his first major success came in 1995 on Winged Love in the Irish Derby (G1). Since then he has captured many of the world's major races including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) three times on Helissio (1996), Peintre Celebre (1997) and Sagamix (1998) and the Epsom Derby (G1) on High-Rise in 1998. His international victories include a Hong Kong International double on Docksider and Borgia (1999), the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) on Desert Prince in 1998, the Coronation Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) on Banks Hill (2001), and the Japan Cup (G1) on Jungle Pocket (2001). His wins in Dubai include the Godolphin Mile (G2) with Tereshkova in 1996 and the Dubai Kahayla Classic for purebred Arabians on Magic de Piboul in 2001. He has become world famous for riding three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner and international champion Goldikova and he also rode international champion Ouija Board and Japanese champions Symboli Kris S. and Zenno Rob Roy.

   Hiroyuki Uchida was born on July 16, 1970, in the Fukuoka prefecture of southwest Japan, and had childhood ambitions of becoming a gymnast. However, he decided follow in the footsteps his brother, Toshio, who was a jockey in Japan’s National Association of Racing (NAR) circuit before becoming champion rider in Korea in 2008. Uchida became apprenticed to the Matsuura Stables at Ohi Racecourse and rode his first winner in May 1989. A first group stakes win followed in 1991 but Uchida’s career did not really take off until the early 2000s, and he became leading jockey in southern Kanto in 2004 with 413 victories. He first rode in Dubai in 2005, steering Adjudi Mitsuo to finish sixth in the Dubai World Cup (G1). That same year Uchida rode a record 524 winners and became the first NAR jockey to ride over 400 winners in three consecutive seasons. After passing the 3,000-win mark in the NAR in 2007, Uchida decided to transfer to the more lucrative Japan Racing Association (JRA) and he enjoyed a superb first year, partnering Oken Bruce Lee in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). Uchida has won two consecutive JRA crowns as champion jockey for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and he rode Eishin Flash to win the 2010 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1).

Borel will ride for U.S. in Dubai’s Meydan Masters competition

   Calvin Borel, who won an unprecedented third Kentucky Derby (G1) in four years while aboard Super Saver in 2010, will represent the United States in the Meydan Masters jockey competition in Dubai on February 17-18.

     “I’m very excited. This is unbelievable—a very big honor,” Borel said on February 8 from his current base at Oaklawn Park. “My agent (Jerry Hissam) and I work hard, and I’m very fortunate to be here in this position.”

Dubai World Cup will be target for Drosselmeyer

       WinStar Farm’s Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Drosselmeyer, who has been working strongly toward his four-year-old debut, is being pointed to the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan on March 26.

Nearly 50 American-based Horses Nominated for World Cup

       Led by champion Gio Ponti, Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Drosselmeyer and multiple Grade 1 winner Paddy O’Prado, 48 American-based horses have been nominated for the $10-million Dubai World Cup on March 26 at Meydan Racecourse.

    Other previous winning World Cup trainers with nominations are Richard Mandella, who saddled 2004 winner Pleasantly Perfect, with three; Dale Romans, (Roses in May, 2005), two—Paddy O’Prado and multiple Grade 1-placed First Dude; Kiaran McLaughlin (Invasor, 2007), one, and Eoin Harty (Well Armed, 2009), one.

Meydan leads the way with tracking technology in Carnival

UAE racing adds four new fixtures in 2010-’11

Al Quoz Sprint, nine other UAE races upgraded

   Ten races on the United Arab Emirates racing calendar have been upgraded for the upcoming 2010-’11 racing season, with seven raised in group status and three becoming listed events.

   

Jan. 20     $200,000            Cape Verdi                          Group 2
Jan. 27     $200,000            Al Rashidiya                         Group 2
Feb. 10     $175,000           Firebreak Stakes                  Listed
Feb. 17     $175,000           Nad Al Sheba Trophy            Listed
Feb. 18     $200,000           Balanchine                           Group 2
Feb. 24     $250,000           UAE Oaks                             Group 3
Feb. 24     $150,000           Meydan Classic                     Listed
March 10   $200,000         DRC Gold Cup                        Group 3

March 26 $1,000,000      Al Quoz Sprint                         Group 2

March 20 AED368,000    Abu Dhabi Championship         Group 3
 

Three American runners draw well for $10-million Dubai World Cup

    All three American competitors in Saturday’s record $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1) wound up with acceptable post positions following Wednesday evening’s draw ceremony at the Meydan Racecourse complex.

   Both Richard's Kid and Furthest Land will be trying to make history beyond a designation as the winner of the the richest race ever run. If Richard's Kid wins, he will have captured the third World Cup for Baffert following Silver Charm's win in 1998 and Captain Steve's victory in 2001. If Furthest Land wins, he will make owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey the first Americans to win more than one World Cup trophy after their Roses in May won the 2005 edition of the World Cup.

Nine American-based runners set for Dubai World Cup program

America's Dubai team features seven Grade 1 winners

    The American team of horses preparing to fly to the United Arab Emirates and race on the record $26-million Dubai World Cup (G1) program on March 27 has swelled to include:

·         Two-time Grade 1 winner Take the Points, who is aiming at the unprecedented $10-million purse in the Dubai World Cup for his owners in the Starlight Partners group;

·         Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1)winner Life Is Sweet, who also will run in the World Cup in only her second career start against males, and

·         Grade 1 winner The Usual Q. T., who will line up in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (G1), the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) turf race that often is the most competitive on the World Cup program.

     Overall, the American team of runners going to Dubai for the seven Thoroughbred events on World Cup night boasts seven Grade 1 victors.

     The addition of Take the Points and Life Is Sweet to the world’s richest race ever run will mean America will have a tough four-horse squadron in the World Cup consisting solely of Grade 1 winners. Last year’s champion older male and turf male Gio Ponti and Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner Richard’s Kid are the other two contenders.

     Jack Wolf, managing partner of Starlight Partners, said Take the Points is stronger and more focused than he was last year when he won two Grade 1 races on turf as a three-year-old.

    “(Trainer) Todd Pletcher and his team have really brought him around; he has matured and grown up into a real man of a horse,” Wolf said. “Even watching him train, you can see that he is much more into it than he was in the past.”

      “Our horse is in his best form ever and he deserves a chance to compete against the best horses in the world,” said Donald Lucarelli, another partner in the Starlight venture.

    Take the Points has run over synthetic surfaces before and should have no problem with the Tapeta track at Meydan Racecourse, Wolf said. Regular rider Edgar Prado is set to be back aboard Take the Points in Dubai.

    Meanwhile, trainer John Shirreffs said he was not concerned that Life Is Sweet has run against males only once previously, when she was third in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) last year, or that the five-year-old daughter of Storm Cat has raced at the World Cup distance (2,000 meters or about 1 ¼ miles) only once, also in the Gold Cup.

    "I don’t think the distance is an issue whatsoever, and the surface is in her favor, too," Shirreffs said. "Whoever is in the field, I think she’ll compare very well with them."

    Life Is Sweet has scored the biggest successes of her career on synthetic surfaces and Shirreffs said her late-running style also should suit the Meydan track, which he observed seems to have played well to closers during the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

     "It seems like if you come from off the pace, it’s an advantage (at Meydan)," he said.

      Marty and Pam Wygod bred and own Life Is Sweet as well as Dubai Duty Free contender Courageous Cat, who is trained by Bill Mott.

     Trainer Jim Cassidy confirmed on Wednesday that The Usual Q. T., a four-year-old gelding by Unusual Heat who won six consecutive races in 2009 including the Hollywood Derby (G1), would also be aimed at the Duty Free.       “I’ll train him up to that race,” Cassidy said. The Usual Q. T. is coming off the most disappointing effort of his career, a ninth-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic on January 30, but that race was over Santa Anita Park’s synthetic track and he probably will relish the return to turf.    On Tuesday, The Usual Q. T. worked three furlongs on Santa Anita’s firm turf course in :38.20.    In other news regarding the American team:

·         Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) contender Presious Passion did just what trainer Mary Hartmann wanted when he won Sunday’s Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) in his trademark front-running style over Gulfstream Park’s turf course. “We’re ready to go (to Dubai) now,” she said. Presious Passion, a multiple Grade 1 winner, finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). 

·         Trainer Bob Baffert sent Richard’s Kid out for a seven-furlong work on Wednesday, which the five-year-old by Lemon Drop Kid accomplished in 1:25.60, second fastest of four at the distance over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride track.

·         Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) candidate Kinsale King worked a half-mile in :48.40 on Sunday over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields. The move was the eighth fastest of 93 at the distance.

·         Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag, who is aiming for the $1-million Al Quoz Sprint (G3) on the grass at Meydan, worked six furlongs on Wednesday over Santa Anita’s turf course in 1:14, second fastest of four at the distance.

·         Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Furthest Land drilled five furlongs handily on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, stopping the clock in 1:00.40, third fastest of 40 workouts at the distance. Furthest Land apparently will be the Ramseys’ only runner in Dubai this year as their international campaigner Cannonball, who had been a candidate for the Al Quoz Sprint, has been entered in Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap (G1) at Flemington Racecourse in Australia. Ramsey Farm Manager Mark Partridge said recently that Cannonball, second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot last year, would not run in Dubai if he raced in Australia.

Americans Desormeaux, Gryder ride against the world in 'Meydan Masters'

    American riders Kent Desormeaux and Aaron Gryder will pit their skills against an international cast featuring many of the world’s best jockeys in Friday’s “Meydan Masters” competition on the concluding day of the Dubai International Racing Carnival at Meydan Racecourse.

    Desormeaux, a member of the Racing Hall of Fame who has ridden three Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, and Gryder, who guided Well Armed to his record-smashing Dubai World Cup (G1) victory last year, are among a dozen riders set to compete.

     The others are: top Australian rider Corey Brown, winner of last year’s Melbourne Cup (G1) on Shocking; Japan’s Norihiro Yokoyama, winner of two World Super Jockey Series competitions in Japan; Christophe Lemaire of France, winner of the inaugural International Jockeys’ Challenge in Turkey last year; Olivier Peslier, four-time champion rider in France; Jamie Spencer, a champion rider in Britain and Ireland; Ted Durcan, an Irish native who has reigned as the United Arab Emirates champion rider seven times;

    Also, Ryan Moore, three-time champion British jockey; Richard Hills, top British rider who won the 1999 Dubai World Cup on Almutawakel; Frankie Dettori, Godolphin’s retained rider who has won major races all across the globe; and Ahmed Ajtebi, the former camel jockey who rose to fame by winning two $5-million races on the 2009 Dubai World Cup program and later the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

    The jockeys will compete in four races, all handicaps on the all-weather track at Meydan. The first leg is the first race on the program at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs), which will be followed by the second program race at 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs); the fourth race at 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles), and the fifth race at 2,000 meters (about 1 ¼ miles).

    In the first race, Desormeaux and Gryder both have drawn horses owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with Desormeaux on stakes winner So Will I trained by American Doug Watson and Gryder aboard Alazeyab, an El Prado colt bred at Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, who finished third to champion Midshipman in an allowance on February 25.

    Gryder has drawn Saudi Arabian-owned Consul General, who was third in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G3) on January 28, in the second leg, while Desormeaux will ride British-based six-time winner Beauchamp Viceroy.

      In the third leg of the competition, Desormeaux will be aboard Godolphin’s three-time listed stakes winner Once More Dubai. Gryder will pilot Autonomy, an Indian-bred gelding who has won three races designated as Group 1 events in that country.

     Concluding the series, Gryder will be given a leg up on Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s multiple English Group 3 winner Hattan, who has twice placed in Group 1 stakes, while Desormeaux gets Godolphin’s three-time winner Roman Republican.

Godolphin setting sizzling Carnival pace

   With only the March 4 “Super Thursday” and March 5 “Meydan Masters” special programs remaining in the Dubai International Racing Carnival prior to the Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 27, the Maktoum family’s Godolphin stable is dominating the Carnival leader standings in every category.

    Godolphin is the top owner by wins and earnings, with 17 victories and $2,064,007 from 85 starts, and trainer Saeed bin Suroor leads all his colleagues with 18 wins and $2,169,221. Bin Suroor trains a few horses for other owners and won the Dubai Racing Club Gold Cup with Sabotage, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, on Thursday.

    Frankie Dettori, Godolphin’s retained jockey, ranks atop all riders with ten wins and $1,138,771 in mount earnings, with the stable’s other main jockey, Ahmed Ajtebi, next with $749,477 and six victories.

     Even among horses, Godolphin is in front, with the stable’s Dubai World Cup candidate Allybar leading all others with earnings of $210,429 after capturing the Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G3) on February 18 for his second Carnival win. Raihana, the Elusive Quality filly who took the United Arab Emirates Oaks on February 25 for her second win for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, ranks second with $192,893.

     Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa is second among all owners by earnings and his trainer, South African Mike de Kock, holds the same position among his colleagues while the stable’s two primary jockeys, Christophe Soumillon and Kevin Shea, are third and fourth in the rider standings by earnings.

     The lessons in these numbers for “Super Thursday” and the World Cup program are clear. Any of the best horses carrying the royal blue colors of Godolphin or the yellow and blue silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa have to be taken seriously.

     Additionally, South African trainer Herman Brown, who sent out Bankable to win last week’s Al Fahidi Fort (G2), has the enviable statistic of his runners finishing first or second 75% of the time, although he has only been represented by four starters to date. Among jockeys, Olivier Peslier has bought home 47.1% of his mounts to finish first, second or third, including Thursday’s Balanchine (G3) winner Deem. English-based owner Susan Roy, who campaigned 2002 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sarava and 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Wilko, has seen all of her three runners so far finish first or second.

     Here are the top ten leading owners, trainers and jockeys through the February 25 Carnival program:

Chasing all-time earnings record in Dubai, Vodka set to run on 'Super Thursday' and in World Cup

Move over, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

     Vodka, a six-year-old mare who ruled as Japan’s 2008 and 2009 Horse of the Year, has eclipsed both those American champions in terms of earnings and victories over males in Group 1 company, and she is poised to try to become Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money earner.

     Now training in Dubai, Vodka will be entered for the $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G2) on the March 4 “Super Thursday” program during the Dubai International Racing Carnival at Meydan Racecourse as a prelude to competing in the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 27.

   Already the leading female runner by earnings in Thoroughbred racing history, Vodka arrived in Dubai on February 11 and has pleased her connections with how she is adapting to the new Tapeta all-weather surface.

    “Everything is going very well,” said Keita Tanaka, who is representing Vodka’s owner and breeder Yuzo Tanimizu in Dubai. Vodka was sent out for her initial workout over the Tapeta track on Monday and handled the surface with no problems during the five-furlong drill, he said.

    While the connections of Vodka—who defeated an outstanding field including two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Conduit in the Japan Cup (G1) last November—are keeping their aspirations discreetly low-key, they are well aware that the daughter of Tanino Gimlet can rewrite the record books in Dubai.

    “Yes, it is a goal. We are all hoping,” Tanaka said of the possibility that Vodka will emerge from the World Cup as the leading money earner in history.

    To date, Vodka has bankrolled $13,147,826 in a stellar career that has featured five victories over males in elite Japanese Group 1 competition. Like Rachel Alexandra, she won a classic race, becoming the first filly to capture the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in 64 years, and she has been remarkably versatile, taking elite races from one mile to 1 ½ miles.

    Vodka would surpass longtime money leader T.M.Opera O if she wins the Dubai World Cup, which will be run over 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) on the Tapeta track. With a $6-million prize awaiting the winner of the World Cup—an amount equal to what had been the highest total purse amount anywhere on the globe—Vodka could, with a victory, leave Meydan with earnings surpassing $19-million.

    T.M.Opera O, a son of Opera House who raced from 1998 to 2001, earned $16,200,337 and reigned as Japan’s Horse of the Year and champion older horse in 2000 as well as champion 3-year-old colt in 1999. In comparison, 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin ranks as North America’s all-time leading earner with $10,501,800 and Zenyatta is North America’s all-time leading female earner with $5,474,580.

    While the synthetic Tapeta track will be new for Vodka as she has previously raced only on grass, she has competed before in the United Arab Emirates.

    In 2008 and 2009, she ran very well on turf in Dubai, missing winning the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (G1) by 1 3/4 lengths in 2008 while fourth behind winner Jay Peg, who set a course record of 1:46.20 in the 1,777-meter race. Last year, Vodka was unlucky, getting stopped in traffic while seeming an apparent winner in her prep in the Jebel Hatta (G2) and then finishing an uncharacteristic non-threatening seventh in the Duty Free won by Gladiatorus.

    Learning from their experiences with Vodka in Dubai, her connections have opted to change some of her preparations this year. Rested after the Japan Cup, she resumed training in mid-January and had three workouts for trainer Katsuhiko Sumii before she left Japan, more than she had under her girth before traveling to Dubai in previous years.

   "She arrived (in Dubai) very nicely and she is getting fitter," Tanaka said, adding that in 2008, she was somewhat unsettled by the trip and in 2009 was perhaps too relaxed and not fit enough.

    With $10-million on the line in the World Cup, it is clear Vodka will face severe competition; among her rivals will be 2009 American champion older male and turf male Gio Ponti and Grade 1 winner Richard’s Kid. However, Tanaka suggested that horses from around the globe will have a better chance on the Tapeta track, as compared with the dirt surface at Nad al Sheba Racecourse over which previous World Cups were conducted. In the first 14 runnings of the World Cup, American-based or Godolphin runners won 13 times, with the other winner, Almutawakel, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

    "I am very happy with the track so far. This is a very fair track," said Tanaka, adding that former trainer Michael Dickinson, who invented Tapeta and installed it at Meydan, advised him that Vodka seems to be a "very suitable horse for this track."

    From her very first race, a winning effort at Kyoto Racecourse in October 2006 as a two-year-old, Vodka has proved superior. She earned championship laurels as Japan’s best juvenile filly and won the Tenno Sho (G1) and Yasuda Kinen (G1) over males in her first Horse of the Year campaign. Last year, Vodka won three Group 1 events, including two over males, to seize the title again.

Ramsey may have two runners on World Cup program

Ever since he won the Dubai World Cup (G1) with Roses in May in 2005, leading American owner Ken Ramsey has been trying to get back to Dubai.

This year, he has two horses that can take him there.

Ramsey plans to send his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Furthest Land to the United Arab Emirates to compete in either the $10-million Dubai World Cup or the $1-million Godolphin Mile (G2). Plus, he has homebred multiple stakes winner Cannonball poised to possibly travel from his current base in Australia to contest the $1-million Al Quoz Sprint (G3) on the turf at Meydan Racecourse, said Mark Partridge, who manages the Ramsey Farm owned by Ramsey and his wife, Sarah Kathern.

“We’re going to leave our options open,” Partridge said on which Dubai race Furthest Land would target, “but we’d like to run in the World Cup.”

Furthest Land, most recently fifth but only three-quarters of a length behind winner and fellow Dubai World Cup contender Richard’s Kid in the San Antonio Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park on February 7, is training at Gulfstream Park under the care of Mike Maker. On Sunday, the five-year-old Smart Strike gelding worked five furlongs in 1:01.45, 11th fastest of 34 moves at the distance.

Cannonball, who finished a strong second in last year’s Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot to propel himself on to the international stage, currently is training with Gai Waterhouse in Australia and is doing well, Partridge said.

“He will probably go,” he added of the five-year-old Catienus gelding’s Dubai plans, although the Newmarket Handicap (G1) on March 6 at Flemington racecourse in Australia also is an option, he said.

Waterhouse wrote glowingly about Cannonball’s gallop on Monday in her online diary, calling him “impressive”.

“I really like this gelding and he is doing exactly what I look for in an older horse coming under my care, transforming noticeably in the short time he has been with me by settling down, coat gleaming and enjoying his regular swimming and … and his trips to the beach—all the little added extras which keeps them happy horses,” Waterhouse wrote.

Cannonball has had a demanding schedule since Royal Ascot. He won the Commentator Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in September, finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November and then flew to Asia, where he was tenth, four lengths from first, in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1) at Sha Tin. In his first Australian start, he finished ninth, four lengths behind winner Nicconi, in the Lightning Stakes (G1) on January 30 at Flemington.

Gio Ponti, Courageous Cat lead America's 2010 Dubai team

    With only about a month remaining before history is made with the $26-million Dubai World Cup (G1) program at the new Meydan Racecourse, the United States-based squad is beginning to show signs it could yield contenders even in races not typically known as showcases of American prowess.

     Here is how the team is shaping up:

·         Courageous Cat, who finished a strong second to international champion Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), repelled a late challenge to win the Canadian Turf Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday and earn his way to the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (G1) at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) on turf. An American-based horse has never won the Duty Free, which is one of the world’s top races on grass, although Whilly and The Tin Man finished second in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

     "We were really excited about him coming back as well as he's been training for the last month, although you are always a little concerned about their first race back," trainer Bill Mott said after the win. "He's been invited to the (Dubai Duty Free), and we've been looking at going in that direction for some time.”

   By Storm Cat out of Grade 1 winner Tranquility Lake, Courageous Cat is a full brother to Group 2 winner Jalil, who was a $9.7-million yearling, and to multiple Grade 1 winner After Market. He is owned by his breeders, Martin and Pam Wygod.

·         While the turf races on the World Cup program have never been the strong suit for American horses, Presious Passion will join Courageous Cat with a good chance in Dubai, where he is slated to compete in the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at 2,400 meters (about 1 ½ miles). A game runner-up to Conduit in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and a three-time Grade 1 winner, Presious Passion is thriving at Gulfstream before he attempts to become the first American-based winner of the Sheema Classic.

   “He’s doing super, everything is good with him,” trainer Mary Hartmann said on Saturday, two days after the seven-year-old Royal Anthem gelding worked a mile in 1:40.

   Presious Passion is slated to run in next Sunday’s Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3) over 1 3/8 miles on Gulfstream’s turf course. He won that race last year. 

·         Undefeated three-year-old Conveyance, winner of last Saturday’s Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park in front-running style, could travel to Dubai for the $2-million UAE Derby (G2). A son of Indian Charlie, Conveyance was acquired over the winter by Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Zabeel Racing International and thus would be a natural to compete in the United Arab Emirates unless Sheikh Rashid opts for the Kentucky Derby (G1) instead.

   The oldest son of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Rashid has won several leading owner titles in the UAE. He will be trying to make history if he chooses to run Conveyance in the UAE Derby since an American-based horse has never won that race. Conveyance is trained by Bob Baffert.

·         Zabeel Racing also owns Richard’s Kid, winner of the San Antonio Handicap (G2) in his most recent start on February 7 and a leading candidate for the $10-million Dubai World Cup. The five-year-old by Lemon Drop Kid, who, like Conveyance, is trained by Baffert, could start first in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 6. Baffert has saddled two winners of the 2,000-meter (about 1 ¼-mile) Dubai World Cup, Silver Charm in 1998 and Captain Steve in 2001.

·         Gio Ponti, champion older male and turf male of 2009, remains on target as America’s most accomplished Dubai World Cup contender even after his nose loss to tough veteran Karelian in Saturday’s Tampa Bay Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. A five-year-old by Tale of the Cat who runs for Castleton Lyons, Gio Ponti had a difficult day, rearing in the starting gate and being carried somewhat wide, but trainer Christophe Clement was not deterred.

    "It was really just what he needed, a good strong race," Clement told Daily Racing Form. "This should set him up just right (for the Dubai World Cup).”

·         Two additional American-based horses could be World Cup contenders: Starlight Racing’s multiple Grade 1 winner Take the Points, who finished first in his third elite contest before being disqualified for interference in the February 6 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) winner Life Is Sweet, who competes for the Wygods and trainer John Shirreffs.

·         Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Dancing in Silks might skip the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) after finishing fifth in Saturday’s San Carlos Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita. The setback was a blow to American hopes in the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) Golden Shaheen, a race American runners have dominated, winning eight of the ten runnings since the race became a major World Cup program event in 2000.

       Lightly raced Kinsale King, who defeated Dancing in Silks in the Palos Verdes Handicap (G2) on January 23, remains a Golden Shaheen candidate and is training on the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields so he can get used to the material used at Meydan. The five-year-old gelding by Yankee Victor worked five furlongs handily on Sunday in 1:00.20, the fifth fastest move of 73 at the distance at Golden Gate.

·         Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag—who is being pointed toward the $1-million Al Quoz Sprint (G3), a new race on this year’s Dubai World Cup program—has been working regularly at Santa Anita since he returned from Hong Kong and a strong performance in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1) in December. After leading in that race, the Avenue of Flags gelding finished fifth but only 1 ¾ lengths behind winner Sacred Kingdom. Last week, California Flag drilled a bullet five furlongs on Santa Anita’s firm turf in 1:00.60 for trainer Brian Koriner.

·         Ken and Sarah Kathern Ramsey’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Furthest Land is currently on the list for the Godolphin Mile (G2) but could be switched to the Dubai World Cup, while their Group 1-placed Cannonball, now training in Australia, is a possibility for the Al Quoz Sprint.

American stars prepping for Dubai World Cup day

     Champion Gio Ponti and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Dancing in Silks are set to run Saturday in what will be their key prep races for the Dubai World Cup (G1) program on March 27 at Meydan Racecourse.

      Gio Ponti, the early favorite for the record $10-million Dubai World Cup, has been entered in the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs. The spot appears to be ideal for the Castleton Lyons colorbearer, who will be making his seasonal debut against eight rivals who appear to be overmatched in class.

      A winner of four Grade 1 races last year and second to Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Gio Ponti won honors as 2009 champion American older male and champion turf male. The five-year-old son of Tale of the Cat has won nine of 16 career starts and finished second four times while earning $3,153,800.

     His competition at Tampa features hard-knocking Grade 3 winners Mambo Meister, Rahystrada and Karelian. Rahystrada owns a two-race win streak, including the River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs in his last start. Mambo Meister finished only two lengths behind winner Furthest Land in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Karelian was just 3 ¾ lengths behind champion Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

     Gio Ponti is trained by Christophe Clement, who saddled Dynever to be second in the 2005 Dubai World Cup won by Roses in May.

     Meanwhile, Dancing in Silks has been assigned high weight of 121 pounds against a field of six competitors in the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park, which trainer Carla Gaines is hoping will be the perfect springboard to the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on the World Cup program.

      The six-furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint marked the fourth consecutive win and the third in a stakes for Dancing in Silks in 2009. But that skein was snapped when the five-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding finished third to fellow Golden Shaheen candidate Kinsale King in the Palos Verdes Handicap (G2) on January 23.

      Dancing in Silks’s main rivals in Saturday’s seven-furlong San Carlos could be Grade 1 winner and world record setter Bob Black Jack, who will carry 120 pounds but who has not raced since December 2008, and Ventana, a Bob Baffert trainee who was second in the Palos Verdes and has been assigned 114 pounds.

     American sprinting stars have dominated the Dubai Golden Shaheen, which is run over 1,200 meters (about six furlongs), capturing eight of the runnings since it became a major World Cup program event in 2000.

Godolphin setting Carnival pace by wins, earnings

    Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has let it be known that he did not approve the building of the dazzling new Meydan Racecourse just as a place for others to showcase their horses.

     While Sheikh Mohammed has long been a proponent of the global racing competition exemplified by the ongoing Dubai International Racing Carnival at Meydan, he also is a fierce competitor himself. And to date, his Godolphin juggernaut has been a potent force, leading all rivals in wins.

     Through the first four days of the Carnival, which has featured 31 Thoroughbred races, Godolphin’s 53 starters have captured nine trophies and finished second or third 16 times. Total earnings for the global racing power are $1,170,442.

    Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor correspondingly leads his colleagues with the same numbers in wins and earnings, although he has sent out four more runners for members of the Maktoum family that race some horses in their own silks.

     Frankie Dettori and Ahmed Ajtebi, Godolphin’s primary riders, also stand atop the jockey standings as calculated by mount earnings with $635,066 and $408,984, respectively.

     Dettori is tied with Belgian Christophe Soumillon, who is competing in his first Carnival as the contract rider for the powerful stable of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, with five wins each, while Ajtebi  is next with three. Four other riders have collected two wins apiece: Richard Hills, Ted Durcan, Kevin Shea and Olivier Peslier.

     Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa is the second ranked owner by wins with five, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, third with three. Victories have been spread around other owners, with none so far collecting more than win. Leading owners by money earned following the top three, who campaign around the world, include those based in England, Brazil, Germany and Turkey.

Richard's Kid takes a winning route to the Dubai World Cup

    Making up nine lengths with a furious stretch run along the rail, Richard’s Kid stamped himself as a threat for the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1) when he took home the trophy in Sunday’s $150,000 San Antonio Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

    Making his first start in the silks of Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Zabeel Racing International, Richard’s Kid was sent off the favorite but had to rally from last to defeat Dakota Phone by a head in 1:49.05 for the 1 1/8 miles over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface.  

     Others in the 11-horse field included Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner and Dubai World Cup nominee Furthest Land, who finished fifth; Grade 1 winner and early pacesetter Mast Track, who was sixth, and Marsh Side, a Grade 1 winner on the turf and a competitor in last year’s Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), who was seventh.

    “Nobody was really stopping today, so the only way we were going to overcome that was to save ground,” said jockey Garrett Gomez, who rode Richard’s Kid for the first time. “He’s got a great kick.”

   “He just shot through there,” trainer Bob Baffert observed of the winner. Baffert will be aiming for his third gold whip—the prize given to winning World Cup trainers—after previously saddling 1998 victor Silver Charm and 2001 winner Captain Steve.

    The San Antonio Handicap is a proven World Cup launching pad. WinStar Farm’s Well Armed finished second in the 2009 San Antonio before registering a record-smashing 14-length triumph in the World Cup.

    A five-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, Richard’s Kid previously was campaigned by Arnold Zetcher, for whom he won the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), prior to his recent purchase by Sheikh Rashid, who is the oldest son of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Rashid has been the leading owner in Dubai several times and campaigns a number of other top runners including 2006 American champion sprinter Thor’s Echo, who was third last week in his racing return at Meydan Racecourse following more than 1 ½ years on the sidelines.

     The Dubai World Cup will be run on March 27 at Meydan. The seven Thoroughbred races on the World Cup program will be worth a record total of $26-million.