All eyes in the racing world will be focused on the desert today as Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia D’Oro, arguably the top two handicap horses in this country, will compete in the Grade 1, $6 million Dubai World Cup (Noon, FSN) at Nad al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai.
Since they finished 1-2 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last season Pleasantly Perfect defeated Congaree in the San Antonio at Santa Anita while Medaglia D’Oro crushed Seattle Fitz and Funny Cide in the Grade 1 Donn down at Gulfstream. Alex Solis and Jerry Bailey will each take their regular seat in the saddle aboard their respective mounts.
The two horses with the best chances of upsetting the field are Grand Hombre and Victory Moon. A former stateside runner, Grand Hombre will be making his first start in the royal blue, home team colors of the Godolphin Stable while Victory Moon won the UAE Derby over this course last year and has looked dazzling in his last two preps over the track this season. The others trying to knock off the top two yankees will be fellow U.S. color bearers Fleetstreet Dancer and Domestic Dispute; the Japanese trio of Admire Don, Regent Bluff and Silent Deal; Great Britain’s Dinyeper; Germany’s King’s Boy and local horse State Shinto.
1st RACE – Krafty Kaper and Soaring were both hell-bent on getting lead in here, going half mile in :46 1/5, a pretty quick time for bottom-level maidens going a mile. “Kaper” won the battle on turn as Soaring retreated through field but lost war in deep stretch as Charm Away, under apprentice Fernando Jara, put an end to this “Kaper,” who managed to hold second.
3rd RACE – Ra Ra Superstar tried to wire these like he did in his maiden win last out. The only difference was he had perennial place horse Falconer hounding him to the far turn. Straightening for home, Scott, who had been biding his time behind two frontrunners most of way, made lead under Shaun Bridgmohan and edged away from a stubborn “Superstar.” Falconer got over his bout with seconditis by finishing third.
5th RACE – After finishing second in this condition in her last two, Watrals Lady Hanne was made the 6-5 chalk against these, a ridiculous price for any horse in this field. “Hanne” chased Halo’s Bid to turn before La Pro cruised past that duo with ease on turn on way to easiest of scores. Biogio’s Dream didn’t get the best trip yet still managed to grab place from “Hanne” late. Give Biogio’s Dream another look, maybe on stretch out, in her next start.
7th RACE – Katies Danza just stood in gate when it opened and spotted field ton of ground, losing all chance. Stewards took look to see if she was held in gate but she wasn’t. Out of Sort’s went on to take this at 2-5.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 5-6-2-4-5-8
18 winners; each receives $1,877
539 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $22
No carryover