DUBAI WORLD CUP

DUBAI WORLD CUPULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDE2012 SATURDAY, MARCH 31 UPDATEDANDREW WATKINS

Dubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI WORLD CUPSATURDAY, MARCH 31Race Post Purse Name Distance Surface234567899:10 AM EDT $1,000,000 Godolphin Mile (G2) 1 Mile Turf9:45 AM EDT $1,000,000 Dubai Gold Cup (G3) 2 M Turf10:25 AM EDT $2,000,000 UAE Derby (G2) 1 3/16 M AW11:00 AM EDT $1,000,000 Al Quoz Sprint (G1) 5 furlongs AW11:35 AM EDT $2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) 6 furlongs AW12:25 PM EDT $5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (G1) 1 1/8 M Turf1:00 PM EDT $5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) 1 1/2 M Turf1:40 PM EDT $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup (G1) 1 1/4 M AW7f 7 1/2f 1m 1 1/16m 1 1/8m 1 3/16m1 1/4mOuter course: Turf 2400m (1 1/2m)Distance from last turn to finish line: 450m (2 1/4f)Width: 98 feet6f 6 1/2f7f7 1/2f1mInner course: Synthetic (Tapeta) 1750m (1m,165y)Distance from last turn to finish line: 400m (2f)Width: 82 feet1 3/8m1 5/16m1 3/16m1 1/4m11/8mFINISH6f 5 1/2f 5f 2m13/4m 1 1/2m2

Dubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEDubai World Cup Night AnalysisBy Bob NastanovichGODOLPHIN MILEThe Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile is a one-turn race on thesynthetic Tapeta surface. Godolphin’s own African Story, trained bySaeed bin Suroor, commands favoritism after an authoritative fourlengthwin in the March 10 course-and-distance prep for this. FrankieDettori, who is 2 for 2 aboard African Story, retains the mount. Ofthe others, Western Aristocrat, victorious in last October’s Grade 1Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park, broke the one-mile track recordover the London area’s Kempton Polytrack last September. Do It All,formerly trained in the U.S. by Eoin Harty, won the Group 2 Zabeel Mileon Meydan’s turf course March 1. His renewed vigor could continue onTapeta as Do It All won on synthetics at Keeneland, Golden Gate, andDel Mar in his native country.Selections:4 African Story – Proven commodity kicks it off for favorite backers.11 Do It All – Bold front-runner may prove difficult to reel in.13 Viscount Nelson – Could threaten if able to rally on new surface.DUBAI GOLD CUPThe emphasis is on stamina in the Group 3, $1 million Dubai GoldCup, a two-mile turf race. The test could develop into a showdownbetween local stayers Opinion Poll, an ultra-consistent sort whois proven at the distance, and Fox Hunt, the in-form winner of theMarch 1 Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at 1 3/4 miles. Of the others, theimproving British invader Barbican and Mikhail Glinka, victorious in3ANDREW WATKINSthe March 10 Group 2 Dubai City of Gold at Meydan, have both showntheir best going 12 furlongs, but the extra half-mile of the Gold Cupcould prove advantageous.Selections:10 Opinion Poll – The choice of Frankie Dettori, with best form over marathondistance.11 Fox Hunt – In fine fettle, acquitted himself well when 7th in 2011 Melbourne Cup.13 Kasbah Bliss – 10-year-old set to improve after March 1 tightener.UAE DERBYThe Group 2 $2 million UAE Derby, at 1 3/16 miles over the Tapetasurface, drew a competitive field of 14. Ireland’s classy Wrote, last seenwinning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 5, switches surfacesfor his 3-year-old debut and will likely vie for favoritism with Mickdaam,who scored in the March 10 course-and-distance Al Bastakiya.Trainer Graham Motion sends over Lucky Chappy, who was beaten anose by subsequent Sunland Derby winner Daddy Nose Best in GoldenGate’s Feb. 19 El Camino Real Derby. Argentina’s dominant filly BaladaSale and Godolphin’s Australian transplant Helmet were foaled in thefall of 2008 and, as Southern Hemisphere-breds, could have an advantagein maturity.Selections:4 Balada Sale – Argentine filly goes out on a mission.8 Yang Tse Kiang – Improving French gelding fired on Chantilly’s Poly March 6.6 Mickdaam – Looked capable when sweeping home in March 10 prep.Continued on page 4

Dubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEAL QUOZ SPRINTGroup 1 action commences with the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint, afive-furlong turf dash on Meydan’s straightaway course. MargotDid, the England-based filly who won York’s prestigious Group 1Nunthorpe Stakes last August, had her prep in the March 10 MeydanSprint and is expected to blaze a trail up the stand’s side rail underHayley Turner. Regally Ready, the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprintchamp, faded to 13th in the Meydan Sprint and must reverse hisform under regular pilot Corey Nakatani. Nine-year-old Joy andFun arrives in stellar form from Singapore but has to prove that fivefurlongs is optimal. South African-bred Nocturnal Affair has arguablythe best local form and rates a chance in this wide-open heat.Selections:16 Margot Did – Quick British filly streaks up near-side rail.11 Eagle Regiment – Hong Kong-based sprinter returns to preferred distance.6 Joy and Fun – Admirable veteran gets going too late.GOLDEN SHAHEENSprinters head to the Tapeta main track for the Group 1, $2 millionDubai Golden Shaheen, a six-furlong race with one turn. The Factor,who has been in sparkling form over Santa Anita’s dirt at sevenfurlongs, must prove he is as effective over the shorter trip. Even ifhe is, defending champ Rocket Man, who swamped the Bob BafferttrainedEuroears last March, has returned from Singapore with aconvincing prep race under his belt. Among the others in the field of12, Australian phenom Sepoy, whose 10-for-12 career has been overshadowedby Black Caviar’s exploits, and Krypton Factor, who hasgone from strength to strength during the Carnival, merit furtherinspection.Selections:1 Rocket Man – Defending champ returns in peak form.9 Sepoy – Australian invader is more than capable with best effort.11 Soul – Australian transplant has improved here and tries Tapeta.SHEEMA CLASSICAction remains on the turf course for the Group 1, $5 millionDubai Sheema Classic, featuring a select group of 10 going just over1 1/2 miles. The eagerly awaited clash between France’s Cirrus desAigles, winner of Ascot’s Group 1 Champion Stakes last October, andIreland’s St Nicholas Abbey, the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf victor, isenticing. Treasure Beach, the stablemate of St Nicholas Abbey whowon the 2011 Irish Derby, and the undefeated 3-for-3 English hopeBeaten Up could both be on the rise and are capable of defeating thetop pair.Selections:6 Treasure Beach – Return to quick ground provides rich solution.8 Cirrus des Aigles – Honest, durable, and talented.2 Bold Silvano – May finally put it all together at generous odds.DUBAI WORLD CUPThe Carnival concludes with the Group 1, $10 million Dubai WorldCup, a 1 ¼-mile race over the Tapeta surface. Seven-year-old SmartFalcon has won his last nine races under jockey Yutaka Take and bidsto emulate fellow Japanese star Victoire Pisa, the 2011 Dubai WorldCup champ. So You Think, trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, waskept in training as a 6-year-old for this race following a lacklustereffort when sixth in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Game On Dude,the Baffert trainee ridden by Chantal Sutherland, was a game secondin the BC Classic and should be advantaged by his tactical speed.Champion American filly Royal Delta must regain the smart formshe showed when taking the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic inorder to factor. The versatile Master of Hounds has had a good localcampaign, and de Kock has him primed for a career best.Selections:13 Zazou – Rising German star showed affinity for synthetic surfaces at ChantillyMarch 3.4 Master of Hounds – Expect bold bid from well-traveled improver.3 Game On Dude – Determined sort should be in the thick of itDUBAI DUTY FREEThe Group 1, $5 million Dubai Duty Free, a 1 1/8-mile turf race,drew a full field of 16. Ambitious Dragon, impressive winner of ShaTin’s Feb. 26 Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup, brings the best form tothe race but, like Japan’s highly regarded Dark Shadow, is unprovenoutside his home base. Musir and Mutahadee, both trained locally byMike de Kock, like this turf course but may fall short at the Group 1level. Defending champ Presvis must prove that his late rally is stillpotent at age 8. Fellow deep closer Wigmore Hall is rounding intoform, and other Hong Kong-based competitors California Memoryand Xtension are hard to ignore.Selections:10 Mutahadee – Has flashed brilliance during this year’s Carnival.12 Presvis – Popular veteran pointing to this since last year’s triumph.4 Ambitious Dragon – The pride and joy of Sha Tin set to prove he can travel.4

Dubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEPace makes the race on TapetaANDREW WATKINSBy Pat CummingsFollowing the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival,and racing over the last three seasons onthe Tapeta at Meydan, it is relatively clear:There is no discernable bias on this syntheticsurface. Horses win from all posts, paths,and trips. But most often, the old adage “pacemakes the race” holds true. In Dubai, as is thecase in the rest of the world, races are timedfrom the break of the gate – there is no run-up.As a result, opening quarters are often significantlyslower than what one would recognize.On only one occasion in the history of Meydanhas the first 400-meter (about two furlongs)fraction in a 1,200-meter (about six furlongs)race been faster than 24 seconds. On thatoccasion, which happened in early March,a 35-1 longshot closed from well off the pace.Comparing times to what you would expectfrom a typical American-style sprint is a futiletask.Horses with a strong pace presence in theDubai World Cup have had a significant sayin the outcome of the world’s richest race. In2010, locally-based Gloria De Campeao madeall the running and was not caught in the bigrace – setting early fractions of 26.73 and 52.15seconds. Last year, Transcend led throughfractions of 26.78 and 53.18 seconds. The eventualwinner, Victoire Pisa was tipped out byenterprising jockey Mirco Demuro, sensingthe crawl. An internal quarter of 23.92 secondssent Victoire Pisa from last to first going downthe backstretch, and he still held on to lead aJapanese-trained exacta.Watch a replay of last year’s Dubai WorldCup and take close note when you see RamonDominguez strangling Gio Ponti off the pace.In a normal, American-paced turf race towhich Gio Ponti was accustomed, he wouldlikely be well off the pace if he recorded a halfmiletime in 53.76 seconds. But, according tothe Trakus sectional times from last year’sWorld Cup, and as the replay shows quiteclearly, Gio Ponti was fifth, just 2 1/2 lengthsfrom the lead at that point, and tugging onDominguez. For whatever reason, Dominguezdidn’t let Gio Ponti settle despite the dawdle,but the final result told the tale. The one-tworunners guiding the field through the first sixfurlongs finished on top.In the 2012 renewal, projecting what type ofpace will be set could be the key to unlockingthe juicy mutuels. Game On Dude is almostassuredly going forward, but how fast thefront-runner goes under Chantal Sutherlandis the question. As the Tapeta plays at5Meydan, if Game On Dude runs a quarter in25 and change (compared with 23 and changein America when accounting for run-up),the closers will have a much greater chance.If Sutherland guides her mount through 26seconds and slower, and eases back the half toabout 50 seconds or more, this son of AwesomeAgain might be on his way to a big payday.So You Think, the former Australianturned-Irish-basedgalloper, stuck gamelywith Game On Dude in the Breeders’ Cup Classicbefore fading late, and was beaten just 3 1/4lengths. Transcend has a penchant for racingwith prominence, but lacked that kick in hislast Japanese start, where he was pushedto compete from the gate break and was justunequivocally dull. Smart Falcon, anotherexpected Japanese starter, also races from thefront, and has made short order of many of thesecond-tier dirt racing there.As it applies to the Godolphin Mile, UAEDerby, Dubai Golden Shaheen, and the DubaiWorld Cup – find the pace and prognosticatehow fast it might be to determine the likeliestresults at the finish. The Tapeta surface atMeydan has historically provided a level playingfield – how fast the races go early normallydictates what is left in the tank when turningfor home.

By Pat CummingsDubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEDiverse challengers hope to dash hopesfor Golden Shaheen repeatRocket Man does not burn out his fuse,anywhere, alone.A 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding byViscount, Rocket Man received a questionableride in the 2010 Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheenwhen second to Kinsale King. He came toDubai that year having won eight of nine lifetimestarts, and was generally considered thegreatest horse to emerge from Singapore, at theextreme southeastern tip of the Asian continent.In his next foray in top company, RocketMan was then upset as an overwhelmingfavorite in his home country’s biggest race, theKrisFlyer International Sprint (G1) at KranjiRacecourse. Singapore’s fanatical racingsupporters wondered if he would ever get ontop in an international sprint.Fast forward 10 months and Rocket Man,under Felix Coetzee, ran down Euroears totake the 2011 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Immediatelyafter last year’s edition, Coetzee said: “Hethe most tenacious horse I’ve ever ridden. He’sgot terrific stamina, boundless energy. He’s asuper horse.”Two starts later, he completed the double,taking the KrisFlyer Sprint in overwhelmingfashion, certifying his title as Singapore’sgreatest. Two more international trips at theend of 2011 season, in Japan and Hong Kong,were dull, and trainer Patrick Shaw put thegelding away in advance of his Golden Shaheentitle defense. A basic prep run over six furlongson Polytrack got the rust off the Rocket, and heis due in Dubai on March 24. The contingentcoming to face him will certainly be differentthan last year.Two Americans are expected to have achance to dictate the pace. Giant Ryan, winnerof last year’s Vosburgh (G1) is a likely earlytarget, while The Factor will, of course, be apresence for Bob Baffert, who has recordedseconds with his last two starters in the race(Indian Blessing in 2009, Euroears in 2011).American-trained horses have traditionallyserved as the toughest opposition in this race,run over 1,200 meters (about six furlongs).However, the switch to Tapeta and the successof Rocket Man have seemingly inspired internationalcompetition, who almost assuredlywill offer value in the betting pools.Rocket ManLucky Nine, recent winner of the Queen’sSilver Jubilee Cup (G1) at Sha Tin in Hong Kongwill be joined by Australian import Sepoy, awinner of 10 of 12 starts, including four in Group1 company. Soul made a winning local debutfor Godolphin on grass, having spent the restof his career on the turf in Australia, and willhave to navigate Tapeta for the first time if heruns in this spot. Herman Brown, who trainedthe 35-1 longshot winner of the 2008 DubaiDuty Free (G1), Jay Peg, could start AugustRush. A winner of the Mercury Sprint (G1) atClairwood on grass in South Africa last July,he ran a strong third in the Mahab Al Shimaal(G3), his first start of the season and first onTapeta. All four own strong grass form, but nohorse has ever won the Dubai Golden Shaheenhaving prepped on grass, which makes AugustRush’s local prep all the more compelling.Japan is expected to send lightly raced A ShinVirgo, a son of Falbrav out of a Thunder Gulchmare whose success has come over distancesmuch shorter than his pedigree would suggest.Trained by Ken Kozaki, A Shin Virgo defeatedLucky Nine and last year’s Golden Shaheenfourth, Green Birdie, in the Centaur Stakes(G2) at Hanshin, and was narrowly ahead ofRocket Man while third in the Sprinters Stakes(G1) at Nakayama in October. He would bethird race off the layoff in the Golden Shaheen,adding yet another angle in a diverse bunch.Krypton Factor is the only repeat winner at6ANDREW WATKINSMeydan this season over the 1,200 meters ofthe Golden Shaheen trip. He finished secondin the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) and won thelast major local prep, the Mahab Al Shimaal.Owned and trained by the jovial BahrainiFawzi Nass, this colt has only improved overtwo seasons in Dubai and recorded the fastesttime on Tapeta at the distance this season. Hewas raced into shape, making three starts in14 days earlier in the winter, and has shown aconsistency and affinity over this surface thatmakes him a very lively longshot. Hitchens,who bested Krypton Factor in the Al Shindaghabefore a second in the Mahab Al Shimaal, hasalso closed well over the all-weather surface.Russian Rock received an invitation to theGolden Shaheen. Locally based for trainerMusabah Al Muhairi, he is a course anddistance winner and has won over the testinguphill dirt course at Jebel Ali in his last tworaces, which are not to be ignored. The lastwinner of the Jebel Ali Sprint to take the DubaiGolden Shaheen was State City, who pulled theupset in 2003 for trainer Paddy Rudkin.The straightaway dash of the GoldenShaheen went the way of the bulldozers whenMeydan took over from Nad Al Sheba, but thecompetitiveness of the sprint test has unquestionablygrown to new heights this year. Theopportunity for a juicy result seems morelikely in 2012 than any recent edition of the $2million dash.

By Pat CummingsDubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDEOverbet Americans – a Dubai World Cup traditionAmerican money typically dominates thebetting on the Dubai World Cup card, withmoney also coming in from France, SouthAfrica, and several other jurisdictions.But in the 14 thoroughbred races run atMeydan in the two Dubai World Cups heldthere, only one US-based runner has beenvictorious (Kinsale King – 2010 Dubai GoldenShaheen).Gio Ponti, an American turf champion ranwell, but could not justify his support at thewindows in the world’s richest race. In consecutiveyears, bettors may have landed on him bydefault and walked away disappointed as GioPonti failed to hit the board at 3-1 in 2010 and7-2 in 2011. Euroears was the 2-1 second choicein last year’s Dubai Golden Shaheen, and TheFactor is likely to get more money than GiantRyan, but both will be short along with RocketMan. Lucky Chappy, the only American horseexpected for the UAE Derby, also will bethe only one with form familiar to statesidebettors. While the Graham Motion traineehas a massive chance in the race, overlays arelikely on other top contenders.Americans have never won a turf race onthe big night, but their familiarity with bettorsoften skews their odds lower than they should.Presious Passion, somewhat amazingly, wentoff the 3-1 favorite in the Dubai Sheema Classicin 2010 and finished last. A race earlier,Courageous Cat was 4-1 when second choicein the Dubai Duty Free and finished ninth.The Tin Man’s second in the 2006 Dubai DutyFree serves as the best finishing position for anAmerican turf runner, while California Flag’sthird in the 2010 Al Quoz Sprint was the closestan American got to the finish line first, beatenjust more than a length.So, naturally, a few tips for betting the DubaiWorld Cup card:1WATCH REPLAYSAND UNDERSTAND INTENTThe purses are so astronomical on the DubaiWorld Cup program, trainers have a difficulttime justifying getting their horses completelyprimed for a final prep race, especially one thattook place at Meydan. All races from the localseason at Meydan are available on DRF.com/dubai. Many of the top races from Hong Kong,Australia, and Singapore also can be viewed onYoutube, helping to familiarize you with someunfamiliar horses and form.While you are likely never going to get 6-1 onAmbitious Dragon in Hong Kong (Dubai DutyFree), 12-1 on Better Be The One in Singapore(Al Quoz Sprint), or 10-1 on Ortensia in Australia(Al Quoz Sprint) – those prices wouldn’t bestrange on the international tote.2AVOID ANY NORTH AMERICAN HORSEIN A TURF RACE, EVEN TURF SPRINTS.While Regally Ready is likely the only horsefrom North America to run on grass at thisyear’s World Cup meeting, international turfersmust be more respected. A fundamentalprinciple of betting the World Cup card, asone can see from some of the statistics on page16, is easily remembered but often ignored.Shockingly, Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winnerRegally Ready was sent postward as the 9-5favorite in the local prep for the Al Quoz Sprinton the Super Saturday card.As if all previous knowledge about American-basedturf runners on Dubai World Cupnight went out the window, bettors plowedit through in favor of the Steve Asmussentrainee.While that five-furlong race may haveappeared as just a listed stakes race, there weremore top-class, international Group 1-winningstakes sprinters than anything Regally Readyfaced at Churchill Downs in November. A postracevetting of Regally Ready, who finished13th, revealed no abnormalities. While hemay have needed the race, the history againstAmericans on grass in Dubai must be consideredgoing forward.83Kinsale KingANDREW WATKINSFIND SOME QUALITY LOCALSIN THE GODOLPHIN MILEIn two years at Meydan, locally preparedlongshots have livened exotics, but mostly inthe Godolphin Mile. One of the earlier raceson the card, horses trained by Doug Watsonand Ali Rashid Al Raihe each have recordedstrong seconds in the $1 million event, at 22-1and 24-1, respectively. Arguably, this race hasoften been an afterthought for American shippers,who are surely more interested in someof the bigger prizes. For local hopes, however,this race represents a massive chance for a bigscore. While Godolphin has won their own racein each of its two runnings at Meydan, in-formhorses with plenty of local running lines willtake their shot if they get an invitation to thisrace. Don’t ignore them.4COMPARE PRICES WITH THEU.K. BOOKMAKERSIf you are playing from home, or have asmart phone at the track, look into the oddsbeing offered by the U.K. bookmakers andcompare them with the tote. Oddschecker.com often serves as a great site to compareall prices offered by the many different shops.The tote odds open to American bettors are sooften heavily influenced by American opinion,thus, getting the opinion of how the U.K.bookmakers are pricing top internationalcontenders can offer insight to potential overlaysor underlays.

By Pat CummingsThe 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival covered15 days of racing at Meydan, offering severalhandicaps, 16 group-level stakes races, andhigh hopes, all leading towards the more than$26 million headline program on March 31.The gleaming Meydan grandstand and hotel,stretching for five furlongs of desert, just southof the equally glistening skyscrapers of Dubai,plays witness to the most international day ofracing in the world. Many performances overthe course of the winter in Dubai often yieldgreat clues for the big night. Below, I offerfive key thoughts to consider when analyzingresults from the 2012 Carnival.1THE CARNIVAL DOES PREPAREWORLD CUP WINNERSPaying attention to the Dubai World CupCarnival has been beneficial to success at theDubai World Cup meeting. Over the last fiveseasons in Dubai, covering the last 32 thoroughbredraces on World Cup night, 18 of thewinners made their final prep locally. The goalof the Carnival, to be a main source of successfor the world’s richest day of racing, hasbecome a reality. Foreign form can be enticing,especially in some of the turf races, but resultshave been mixed. The last four Dubai DutyFree winners all spent their winters racing atthe Carnival, while the only two of the last fiveDubai Sheema Classic winners had preps at theCarnival.2FRANKIE DETTORI IS THE LEADING RIDER, BUT HEMIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE ON THE BEST HORSEMuch too much has been made about theGodolphin horse Frankie Dettori is named toride, but Godolphin has plenty of horses, andplenty of jockeys to choose from. While Dettoriis generally considered the “top” stable rider,Godolphin also chooses from Mickael Barzalona,Silvestre DeSousa, and Ahmed Ajtebi.In deeper races, it has also used Ted Durcan,Kieren Fallon, and Olivier Peslier. Interviewedearlier this Carnival, trainer Saeed bin Suroornoted that Dettori doesn’t have a “choice” asmuch as he is often instructed which horsehe will ride. The Godolphin operation is anexpansive one, and accounted for 31 victoriesat the Carnival, with Dettori riding 17 of them.Assuming he always rides the stable’s top horsedoes not always lead to success.3ALI RASHID AL RAIHE MIGHT BE THE BESTTRAINER YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OFWhile not the leading conditioner at theCarnival, Ali Rashid Al Raihe absolutely dominatedthe UAE racing season, running awaywith the thoroughbred training title, almost 20Dubai World Cup ULTIMATE PLAYERS’ GUIDECarnival success can lead to World Cup glorywins clear of American Doug Watson, formerlocal assistant to Kiaran McLaughlin. Al Raihehas had one success on Dubai World Cup night,preparing massive longshot Al Shemali to winthe 2010 Dubai Duty Free, and turned in a solidsecond when sending Mufarrh to a 23-1 placingin last year’s Godolphin Mile. Al Raihe isknown as a trainer that loves to race his horsesinto shape, and if he’s in a race on the big night,he can’t be ignored at what is almost alwaysgoing to be a big price. On the last day of racingat the 2012 Carnival, Al Raihe saddled the lastfive winners, matching a local record for mostwinners on one card with Ismail Mohammed,who managed the feat in 2007.4CLOSER TO THE PACE ON TAPETA HAS BEEN BESTON WORLD CUP NIGHTWhile Meydan is located, literally, in themiddle of the desert, the vast majority of racingin the UAE is conducted in winter, when conditionsare pleasant and even cool in the evenings.The last two Dubai World Cups, however, havebeen run in sultry conditions, easily identifiedas the hottest two days of racing at Meydan.Anecdotally, it is suggested the Tapeta runs abit slower and deeper in these warmer conditions,and it could make it tougher to close fromwell out of it.9ANDREW WATKINSThe sample size is relatively small, but inthe eight Tapeta races run on World Cup night,only one horse has won as a legitimate closer –Musir in the 2010 UAE Derby. It is worth notingthat Musir’s stablemate Solid Choice served asa rabbit, setting a blazing early pace and possiblysetting the table. Otherwise, some attendanceto the pace has been a winning profile.Victoire Pisa, while last through the first turnof the 2011 Dubai World Cup, was sent to thelead with a striking move when beginning therun down the backstretch and stayed on to winfrom there. The Super Saturday prep cardfor the 2012 Dubai World Cup was run on thewarmest day of racing this season in the UAE,and all four Tapeta winners (Mickdaam, KryptonFactor, African Story, and Capponi) racedon, or just off the pace en route to victory.5SURVIVING THE CLASS TEST PROPELS QUALITYCARNIVAL RUNNERS TO WORLD CUPBasically, any horse with a past performanceline at Meydan is a horse you would consider a“Carnival” alum. While the quality is strong,and field sizes big, averaging almost 12 horsesper race, taking typical handicap races fromthe Carnival and transferring that form ingroup-rated stakes races is sometimes challenging.The waters do indeed get deeper. Oneof the top Carnival revelations this seasonwas Mutahadee, a Mike de Kock-trained turfrunner who blitzed rivals in two turf races overnine furlongs before stepping up to the JebelHatta (G1) on Super Saturday.The son of Encosta De Lago handled toprivals, besting Wigmore Hall, the winner ofthe Jebel Hatta from 2011, and last year’s DubaiDuty Free victor, Presvis. Mutahadee had thefastest final 400-meter sectional time, accordingto Trakus, and was running into a somewhatglacial pace set by stablemate Master ofHounds. If horses like Mutahadee can statisticallyhandle the step up to top class racesafter success in Meydan handicaps (non-grouplevel or listed stakes races that make up themajority of Carnival races), that is a positivesign of Carnival progression, meriting addedconsideration on World Cup night. Capponi,the winner of the 2012 Maktoum Challenge –Round 3 (G1), and an expected Dubai World Cupstarter, fits the bill as well.Recent World Cup winners who progressedthrough Carnival handicaps and lesser stakesraces before their big scores include Jay Peg(2008 Dubai Duty Free), Sun Classique (2008Dubai Sheema Classic), Gladiatorus (2009Dubai Duty Free), Eastern Anthem (2009 DubaiSheema Classic), Calming Influence (2010Godolphin Mile), Al Shemali (2010 Dubai DutyFree), and Skysurfers (2011 Godolphin Mile).

RACE2Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEGODOLPHIN MILEPurse: $1,000,000. 1 Mile (Tapeta). Group 2Post Time: 9:10 ET Saturday1 MILEFINISHSTART1234567891011121314Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsRICHARD’S KID (USA) UAE Satish Seemar R. Mullen 12-1Two Grade 1 wins in California in ‘08, but winless in 4 Dubai starts.BARBECUE EDDIEGraded stakes-placed in U.S. in ‘07-08, now best in lesser handicaps.SANDAGIYR (FR) UAE Saeed bin Suroor M. Barzalona 6-1Won Group 3 Firebreak Stakes on synthetic on Feb. 9, then 4th on turf.AFRICAN STORY (GB) UAE Saeed bin Suroor L. Dettori 7-2Local stakes winner faces toughest test of career.FIRST CITY (GB) UAE Ali Rashid Al Raihe R. Ffrench 20-1Making synthetic track debut; a winner of Group 2 mile on turf in January.SHAMALGAN (FR) France Xavier Nakkachdji G. Benoist 20-1Group 2 stakes winner in Germany in ‘11, but must improve.DARBAAS (USA) UAE A. Al Raihe R. Hills 10-1Winless in 7 straight, won twice on this course in lesser races in 2010.WESTERN ARISTOCRAT (USA) GB J J. Noseda R. Moore 6-1NY G1SW last October, unraced since November, danger.RED JAZZ GB Charles Hills M. Hills 20-1A 2010 stakes winner at Newmarket, but winless in 4 starts in ‘11.DUX SCHOLAR (GB) South Africa Herman Brown G. Schofield 30-1A 2010 stakes winner in England, but winless in three ’12 Dubai starts.DO IT ALL (USA) UAE Saeed bin Suroor S. De Sousa 4-1Best racing near front, won first stakes in Group 2 Zabeel Mile on March 1.SNAAFY (USA) UAE Musabah Al Muhairi W. Smith 20-1A UAE stakes winner in ‘11 at minor track, winless in last 7.VISCOUNT NELSON (USA) South Africa Mike de Kock K. Shea 8-1Won Group 2 turf mile in February, poor in last two starts.HAATHEQ (USA) UAE Ali Rashid Al Raihe T. O’Shea 15-12nd and 7th in major preps this year, but winless in 7 starts.Comments by Steve AndersenScratched10

Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDERACE3DUBAI GOLD CUPPurse: $1,000,000. 2 Miles (Turf). Group 3START2 MILESFINISHPost Time: 9:45 ET Saturday12345678910111213Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsMAKANI BISTY (JPN) Japan Yoshito Yahagi F. Komaki 20-1Won Tokyo Derby in ’10, winless in last 14.BARBICAN (GB) GB Alan Bailey R. Moore 20-1Has won 3 of last 4 in minor races in England.UNUSUAL SUSPECT (USA) Australia Michael Kent C. Nakatani 6-1Won Grade 1 Hol Turf Cup in ’10, but no luck of late.AVERROES (IRE) UAE Ernst Oertel P. Cosgrave 20-1A handicap winner at 1 1/2 miles, untested at 2 miles.JOSHUA TREE (IRE) GB Marco Botti J. Murtagh 8-12nd in ’11 Canadian International, but three bad losses of late.IRISH FLAME (SAF) South Africa Mike de Kock K. Shea 20-1The winner of one minor race since leaving South Africa.BRONZE CANNON (USA) South Africa Herman Brown K. Uluaev 30-11st and 13th in Dubai in first 10 days of March.MIKHAIL GLINKA (IRE) South Africa Herman Brown G. Schofield 8-1Won Group 3 over two miles at Royal Ascot in 2010.GRAND VENT (IRE) UAE Saeed bin Suroor M. Barzalona 20-11st in French Group 2 last April, 7th in lone ’12 start.OPINION POLL (IRE) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni L. Dettori 3-1Big danger with great form in British two-mile races.FOX HUNT (IRE) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni S. de Sousa 5-27th in two-mile Melbourne Cup, won local prep March 1.ZANZAMAR (SAF) South Africa Mike de Kock R. Hills 20-1Winner in February, tries distance for the first time.KASBAH BLISS (FR) France Francois Doumen G. Mosse 10-1A 10yo legend making his 59th start, won French Group 1 last October.Comments by Steve Andersen11

RACE4Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEUAE DERBYPurse: $2,000,000. 1 3/16 Miles (Tapeta). Group 1Post Time: 10:25 ET Saturday1 3/16 MILESSTARTFINISH1234567891011121314Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsLUCKY CHAPPY (IRE) USA Graham Motion A. Garcia 6-1Ran well on Tapeta in U.S.; often breaks poorly.BURANO (IRE) GB Brian Meehan K. Fallon 20-1Found room to win turf prep; better on grass?MARITIMER (CAN) South Africa Herman Brown G. Schofield 10-1Canadian juvenile standout handles synthetic nicely, but layoff a concern.BALADA SALE (ARG) France Pascal Bary C. Lemaire 8-1G1 winner on dirt 10F in Argentina; filly has speed.GENTEN (JPN) Japan Yoshito Yahagi C. Williams 12-1Japanese sprint winner gets class test.MICKDAAM (IRE) South Africa Mike de Kock C. Soumi 8-1Slowly improving; needs another forward move.DADDY LONG LEGS (USA) Ireland Aidan O’Brien C. O’Donoghue 10-1Dull in BC Juvenile; should do better here.YANG TSE KIANG (FR) France Richard Chotard T. Jarnet 20-1Beat weaker in France.KINGLET (USA) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni L. Dettori 12-1Distance an issue?FALLS OF LORA (IRE) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni M. Barzalona 12-1Took UAE Oaks; this is tougher task.ENTIFAADHA (GB) GB William Haggas R. Hills 20-1Nosed by Burano on grass; distance/surface questions.RED DUKE (USA) GB John Quinn T. Queally 20-1G2 sprint winner stretches out.WROTE (IRE) Ireland Aidan O’Brien R. Moore 4-1BC Juvenile Turf winner tries synthetic, more distance.HELMET (AUS) Australia Peter Snowden K. McEvoy 10-1Thrice a G1 winner on turf in Australia.Comments by Dan Illman12

RACE5Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEAL QUOZ SPRINTPurse: $1,000,000. 5 furlongs (Turf). Group 2START5FURLONGSFINISHPost Time: 11:00 ET Saturday12345678910111213141516Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsMONSIEUR JOE (IRE) GB Robert Cowell P. Cosgrave 20-1Solid form this meeting; a cut below?ADDICTIVE DREAM (IRE) GB David Nicholls A. Nicholls 20-1Has early speed; 2-2 on turf this meeting.REGALLY READY (USA) USA Steve Asmussen C. Nakatani 6-1BC Turf Sprint king bombed in local bow; overbet?A SHIN VIRGO Japan Ken Kozaki Y. Fukunaga 20-1G2 winning mare in Japan; well-beaten last two.NOCTURNAL AFFAIR (SAF) Ireland David Marnane R. Moore 20-1Consistent campaigner steps up.JOY AND FUN (NZ) Hong Kong Derek Cruz B. Doyle 4-1G1 winner in Hong Kong won this 2010 at 6F; cuts back.INVINCIBLE ASH (IRE) Ireland Michael Halford J. Spencer 10-1Fourth in this 2011; won prep with late kick.AUGUST RUSH (SAF) South Africa H. Brown G. Schofield 10-1Prepped on Tapeta; G1 winner on turf South Africa.WAR ARTIST (AUS) South Africa Mike de Kock K. Shea 20-1Missed by head in this last year; not much since.ORTENSIA (AUS) Australia Paul Messara C. Williams 8-1Sharp Aussie form; handles 5F.EAGLE REGIMENT (AUS) Hong Kong Man Ka Leung O. Doleuze 8-1Beat Joy and Fun two back, cutback helps.PROHIBIT (GB) GB Robert Cowell J. Crowley 10-1Took G1 King’s Stand in 2011; disappointed final prep.BETTER BE THE ONE (AUS) Singapore Michael Freedman K. Fallon 20-13rd in race 2011; only even in prep.SECRET ASSET (IRE) GB Jane Chapple-Hyam G. Baker 10-1Necked in G1 Prix de L’Abbaye; fits on best.SOLE POWER (GB) Ireland Edward Lynam J. Crowley 10-12010 Nunthorpe winner; nosed in good prep.MARGOT DID (GB) GB Michael Bell H. Turner 10-1Upset G1 Nunthorpe three back; faltered last two.Comments by Dan Illman13

RACE6Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEENPurse: $2,000,000. 6 Furlongs (Tapeta). Group 1START6 FURLONGSPost Time: 11:35 ET SaturdayFINISH123456789101112Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsROCKET MAN (AUS) Singapore Patrick Shaw F. Coetzee 9-2Defending champ & deserving chalk cruised March 4 in same prep he used in ’11. Can lead or press.HAPPY DUBAI (IRE) UAE Ali Rashid Al Raihe J. Murtagh 12-1He beat lesser foes in his February win over Meydan Tapeta.GIANT RYAN (USA) USA Bisnath Parboo W. Martinez 8-1Got very good the 2nd half of last year. Synthetic surface the looming X factor.RUSSIAN ROCK (IRE) UAE Musabah Al Muhairi W. Smith 20-1Effective against lesser foes over Jebel Ali dirt. With these? Not so much.KRYPTON FACTOR (GB) Bahrain Fawzi Nass K. Fallon 10-1Comfortably handled Hitchens last out. Best of the locals has a chance.HITCHENS (IRE) GB David Barron S. de Sousa 12-1Top 2 sprinter during the Winter Carnival. That’s not saying a lot this year.THE FACTOR (USA) USA Bob Baffert R. Bejarano 3-1G1 winner on synthetic. One of at least three with serious early gas.IVER BRIDGE LAD GB John Ryan J. Ryan 30-1Expected some improvement last out in Mahab, got regression instead.SEPOY (AUS) Australia Peter Snowden K. McEvoy 4-1Crack Aussie turf-sprinter makes synthetic debut.INXILE (IRE) GB David Nicholls A. Nicholls 20-1Likely pace factor, but unlikely contender.SOUL (AUS) UAE Saeed bin Suroor L. Dettori 8-1Another Tapeta debuter did not beat top-class foes in recent Meydan victory.LUCKY NINE (IRE) Hong Kong Casper Fownes B. Prebble 12-1He’s an awesome turf sprinter, but can he show his best form on synthetic?Comments by Dan Illman14

RACE7Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI DUTY FREEPurse: $5,000,000. 1 1/8 Miles (Turf). Group 11 1/8 MILESSTARTPost Time: 12:25 ET SaturdayFINISH12345678910111213141516Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsGREEN DESTINY (IRE) South Africa H. Brown G. Schofield 20-15yo with moderate upside flopped 3/10 on synthetic but is far better on grass.AWAIT THE DAWN (USA) Ireland Aidan O’Brien J. O’Brien 6-1Was used as pacemaker for stable-mate in BC Turf. Probably in better form now than then.RAJSAMAN (FR) UAE Ali Rashid Al Raihe R. Ffrench 30-1He’s started 21 times and never has turned in a performance good enough to factor here.AMBITIOUS DRAGON (NZ) Hong Kong Tony Millard D. Whyte 4-1The top middle-distance horse in Hong Kong. Effectiveness elsewhere unknown.MUSIR (AUS) South Africa Mike de Kock K. Shea 10-1His course & distance win in January was solid. Shocking last-out defeat in Burj Nahaar.DELEGATOR (GB) UAE Saeed bin Suroor L. Dettori 8-1Veteran Godolphin sprinter-miler up against it here in terms of quality, distance.DARK SHADOW (JPN) Japan Noriyuki Hori Y. Fukunaga 10-15yo Japanese horse has been sparingly campaigned, retains upside.CALIFORNIA MEMORY (USA) Hong Kong Tony Cruz M. Chadwick 20-1Not far behind the Dragon on HK. Has a big late kick. Possible.XTENSION (IRE) Hong Kong John Moore J. Lloyd 20-1If you like him, you should like fellow HKer Ambitious Dragon more.MUTAHADEE (IRE) South Africa Mike de Kock C. Soumillon 10-1De Kock’s apparent 2nd string made nice late progress in the Jebel Hatta.CITYSCAPE (GB) GB Roger Charlton J. Doyle 12-1Just hit int’l circuit over the winter, and nearly took down G1 HK Mile at 32-1 in 1st try outside Europe.PRESVIS (GB) GB Luca Cumani R. Moore 12-18yo defending champ supposedly racing way toward fitness, but been dull in both Meydan starts.CITY STYLE (USA) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni M. Barzalona 8-1In career-best form, but one-time Lone Star maiden-claiming winner never has won a Graded or Group stakes.RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) UAE Saeed bin Suroor S. De Sousa 20-1Well managed thru 2011 campaign, but probably not good enough, has poor Meydan record.WIGMORE HALL (IRE) GB Michael Bell J. Spencer 12-1Don’t count out after modest prep run in Jebel Hatta. Nightmare trip in ’11 Duty Free.DUBAWI GOLD (GB) GB Richard Hannon J. Murtagh 30-1Thumped March 10 in Dubai debut. 4yo seems cut below, might prefer less ground.Comments by Marcus Hersh15

RACE8Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI SHEEMA CLASSICPurse: $5,000,000. 1 1/2 Miles (Turf). Group 11 1/2 MILESSTARTFINISHPost Time: 1:00 ET Saturday12345678910Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsSONGCRAFT (IRE) UAE Saeed bin Suroor S. de Sousa 8-1Unbeaten streak ended at 4 when 3rd in key prep on March 10.BOLD SILVANO (SAF) South Africa Mike de Kock C. Soumillon 15-1South Africa Group 1 winner, but 12th on synthetic last time.BEATEN UP (GB) GB William Haggas J. Murtagh 20-1Unbeaten in three starts in England last year, but unraced since October.MAHBOOBA (AUS) South Africa Mike de Kock K. Shea 6-16th in Grade E.P. Taylor last fall, strong winter in Dubai.CAVALRYMAN (GB) UAE Saeed bin Suroor L. Dettori 10-13rd in 2009 Arc, but winless in last 15 predating that.TREASURE BEACH (GB) Ireland Aidan O’Brien J. Spencer 20-11st Secretariat last August; 3rd Canadian Intl last October.JAKKALBERRY (IRE) GB Marco Botti R. Moore 20-1Strong Italian form, not so good elsewhere.CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) France Corine Barande-Barne O. Peslier 3-11st Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in ’11, 2nd in recent prep.ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) Ireland Aidan O’Brien J. O’Brien 2-1Unraced since winning the BC Turf; a strong favorite.SHIMRAAN (FR) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni M. Barzalona 20-1Makes first start in a Group 1 and may not belong.Comments by Steve Andersen16

Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDERACE9DUBAI WORLD CUPPurse: $10,000,000. 1 1/4 Miles (Tapeta). Group 1Post Time: 1:40 ET Saturday1 1/4 MILESSTARTFINISH12345Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsHorse Country TrainerMASTER OF HOUNDS (USA) South Africa Mike de Kock Christophe SoumillonFifth in the 2011 Kentucky Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien, this 4-year-old colt won the Group 1 Jebel HattaStakes at about 1 1/8 miles on turf on March 10, his fourth start of 2012. Trained this year by Michaelde Kock, he typically stalks the pace, a style that led to a second in the 2011 UAE Derby on the DubaiWorld Cup undercard. Was a well-beaten third in his lone start this year on the Dubai World Cup’s TapetaFootings surface. – Steve AndersenEISHIN FLASH (JPN) Japan Hideaki Fujiwara Christophe Lemaire10-1Since Victoire Pisa won the 2011 World Cup, there’s going to be extra attention on the Japanese this year,but Eishin Flash does not appear to be in a good spot. In his most recent race he finished a solid secondto the talented (and, recently, mercurial) Orfevre in the Group 1 Arima Kinen, but while Victoire Pisaalso ran in that race leading toward his DWC win, he had another start in late February, where this horsecomes in after a three-month break. There’s nothing but turf form to go on – no dirt, no synthetic – andone could make the argument that his top race the last two calendar years came over two miles. Unlikely.– Marcus HershZAZOU (GER) Germany Waldemar Hickst Olivier Peslier 15-1Made a nice impression in synthetic debut when defeating the classy Cirrus des Aigles in the Prix MeydanHotel allowance at Chantilly on March 3, and it’s notable that Cirrus des Aigles beat Dubai World Cup entrantsSo You Think and Silver Pond on turf in Europe in 2011. Lacked the quality to compete successfullyin major group races in France, but found success in the lesser group events in Germany and Italy, includinga win in the Group 1 Permio Roma. Perhaps he’s found a home on the synthetic surface, but he’ll needto show continued improvement if he is to upset the world’s richest race. – Dan IllmanSO YOU THINK (NZ) Ireland Aidan O’Brien Joseph O’Brien5-1New Zealand-bred son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner High Chaparral took the historic Cox Platein Australia in both 2009 and 2010 and then embarked on a successful European excursion last year, winningthe Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, Irish Champion Stakes, and Coral-Eclipse Stakes. Although onlyfourth in the Arc de Triomphe, that race was 1 ½ miles, and So You Think is well-suited to the 10-furlongdistance of the Dubai World Cup. Certainly wasn’t disgraced when sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic inhis 2011 finale, his lone start on the main track. Grass form seems to play very well on the Tapeta surfaceat Meydan, so an improved performance from his Breeders’ Cup effort is likely. Classy fellow could well bethe horse to beat. – Dan IllmanSMART FALCON (JPN) Japan Ken Kozaki Yutaka TakeSwift chestnut seeks 10th consecutive victory dating back to the fall of 2010 after dominating the minorlocal government main-track circuit in Japan. Likes to race on the front end and that style should fit theMeydan profile quite nicely. Must prove his mettle over the Tapeta surface, but distance shouldn’t pose anissue for the grandson of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence. Defeated 2011 DubaiWorld Cup runner-up Transcend in the JBC Classic at 10 furlongs in November. Japan ran one-two in thisrace last year, and Smart Falcon looms a strong contender in this year’s edition. – Dan Illman12-110-117

RACE9Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI WORLD CUPCONTINUED67891011Horse Country Trainer Jockey ML OddsPLANTEUR (IRE) GB Marco Botti Ryan MooreSurprisingly cut back to a mile last summer after winning a pair of group races in France going longer.Just didn’t have the speed to stay with the likes of Goldikova, Immortal Verse, and Sahpresa in the PrixJacques le Marois and may not have cared for the testing nature of the turf course at Longchamp for thePrix du Moulin (contested after a heavy downpour rendered the course “very soft”). Distance won’t be aproblem for the Group 1 Prix Ganay winner, but he is unproven over the main track and has been awaysince being eased in the Moulin in September. Will need to run his very best in this star-studded WorldCup. – Dan IllmanROYAL DELTA (USA) USA William Mott Jose Lezcano8-1The heroine of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs last year, she was a well-beaten secondto the heavily favored Awesome Maria in the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream on Feb. 25. Despite2011 credentials, she was not favored that day, and essentially lost all chance of beating Awesome Mariawhen stumbling at the start. Tends to run as a stalker and should not be troubled by the distance, havingwon the 1 1/4-mile Alabama Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths last summer. – Steve AndersenMONTEROSSO (GB) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni Mickael Barzalona 10-1Third as an outsider in the 2011 Dubai World Cup, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the Japanesewinner, Victoire Pisa. Won twice in minor races on the Polytrack surface at Lingfield, England, in2010, but is winless in two starts on Meydan’s Tapeta surface. Only fourth in the Group 1 third round ofthe Maktoum Challenge on March 10, his first start of the year, and a race designed as a tightener for theWorld Cup. Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni said the 5-year-old was not pushed in training before that race.– Steve AndersenSILVER POND (FR) UAE Doug Watson John Murtagh20-1Multiple Group 2 winner on turf in France was sold for 510,000 euros (approximately $680,000) on the eveof last year’s Arc de Triomphe. Finished eighth in the Arc at 80-1 odds behind the impressive filly Danedream,but rebounded to run third, despite some traffic trouble, in the Grade 1 Hong Kong Vase. Preppedfor the World Cup with solid runner-up performance in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 in first start fortrainer Doug Watson. Useful gray may be a touch more effective on turf and at slightly longer distancesand will take a step up in class here. – Dan IllmanTRANSCEND (JPN) Japan Yasuda Takayuki Shinji Fujita8-1After finishing second to fellow Japanese raider Victoire Pisa in last year’s World Cup, Transcend returnedto Japan to win the Mile Championship at Tokyo and the Japan Cup Dirt at Hanshin. In between, he wasdefeated by 2011 World Cup hopeful Smart Falcon in the JBC Classic. Transcend disappointed in his 2012debut when seventh as the odds-on favorite in the February Stakes at Tokyo, a race he won in 2011 asa prep for the World Cup. Like Smart Falcon, likes to be forwardly placed, but he may be a bit better atslightly shorter distances. – Dan IllmanCAPPONI (IRE) UAE Mahmood Al Zarooni Ahmad Ajtebi 8-1He came out of nowhere not just to win the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on March 10, but to thoroughlydominate 13 foes with Ahmed Ajtebi up. Showed with that slow-paced victory that he can be a dangeroushorse if left to his own devices on the lead, but there’s serious doubt he’s sneaking off to another dawdlingwalk in the park with $10 million on the line. Impressive synthetic-surface record, but it’s fair to wonder howhe’ll respond if/when challenged 400 meters out by one of the big guys. – Marcus Hersh20-118

RACE9Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEDUBAI WORLD CUPCONTINUEDHorse Country Trainer Jockey ML Odds121314PRINCE BISHOP (IRE) UAE Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori15-1Tenth in the 2011 Dubai World Cup, he has not regained his career-best form from the fall of 2010 when hewon two group stakes in France. Did win a $150,000 handicap at about 1 1/4 miles on Tapeta at Meydanon Jan. 20, but followed with a fifth and fourth in divisions of the Maktoum Challenge. Has run close to thefront in recent starts, but will need the race of his life to be in the first three finishers. – Steve AndersenMENDIP (USA) UAE Saeed bin Suroor Silvestre De Sousa 15-1A Dubai fixture, this will be his third consecutive start on a Dubai World Cup program, having finished thirdin the 2010 UAE Derby and sixth in the 2011 Dubai Duty Free on turf. Racing typically as a closer, this5-year-old has had erratic form this year, winning the Group 2 second round of the Maktoum Challenge inFebruary. He was a troubled fourth in the Group 3 first round in January but a dismal 11th in the Group 1third round on March 10, never reaching a challenging position. Likely to be one of the longest shots in thefield. – Steve AndersenGAME ON DUDE (USA) USA Bob Baffert Chantal Sutherland3-1His merits are his toughness and consistency (no poor showings since he got right in spring 2010), andhis ability to carry his best race from surface to surface: Since he’s done well on surfaces as divergent asDel Mar Polytrack and Lone Star dirt, it’s fair to assume he will at least be able to stand up on MeydanTapeta. But a few questions must be asked. Is he as good on synthetic as dirt? Yes, his narrow HollywoodGold Cup loss might have been as strong as any race he ran last year, but it’s widely acknowledged thatthe synthetic surface at Hollywood bears a closer resemblance to dirt than any of the other synthetics thathave been used in SoCal. Also, isn’t something up to about nine furlongs his very best distance? He gutsout 1 1/4 miles, but doesn’t seem to excel at the trip. And finally: Is Game On Dude, for all his admirablequalities, really a world-class runner? – Marcus Hersh19

Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDE2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival StatsJOCKEY STANDINGSWINJOCKEY 1ST 2ND 3RD MTS %L Dettori .......................... 16.......... 7 ..........9 ......69 ......23.2%S DeSousa ...................... 12.......... 4 ..........5 ......53 ......22.6%M Barzalona ...................... 8........ 13 ..........3 ......52 ......15.4%C Soumillon ...................... 8.......... 3 ..........5 ......36 ......22.2%P Cosgrave........................ 5.......... 4 ..........0 ......34 ......14.7%R Ffrench ........................... 5.......... 3 ..........5 ......61 ........8.2%R Hills ................................ 3........ 12 ..........6 ......60 ........5.0%K Fallon .............................. 3.......... 7 ..........7 ......50 ........6.0%K Shea ............................... 3.......... 3 ..........2 ......31 ........9.7%J Spencer .......................... 3.......... 3 ..........1 ......21 ......14.3%M Demuro ......................... 2.......... 3 ..........3 ......38 ........5.3%R Mullen ............................ 2.......... 2 ..........3 ......48 ........4.2%A Nicholls .......................... 2.......... 2 ..........1 ......19 ......10.5%T O’Shea ............................ 2.......... 1 ..........6 ......61 ........3.3%T Durcan ............................ 2.......... 1 ..........5 ......43 ........4.7%R Moore ............................ 2.......... 0 ........11 ......51 ........3.9%O Chavez ........................... 2.......... 0 ..........0 ........6 ......33.3%TRAINER STANDINGSWINTRAINER 1ST 2ND 3RD STS %S bin Suroor ...................17 .........10 .........16 ......97 ..... 17.5%A Al Raihe .......................15 .........11 .........14 ....136 .....11.0%M Al Zarooni ..................14 .........12 ...........3 ......58 ..... 24.1%M de Kock ......................10 ...........8 ...........8 ......70 .....14.3%M bin Shafya ...................6 ...........3 ...........2 ...... 47 .....12.8%M Al Muhairi ....................5 ...........9 ...........7 ......64 ....... 7.8%S Seemar..........................4 ...........2 ...........4 ......79 ........5.1%S Burridge ........................4 ...........0 ...........0 .......11 .....36.4%D Watson .........................2 ...........8 ...........8 ...... 71 .......2.8%D Nicholls .........................2 ...........2 ...........1 ...... 19 .....10.5%F Nass ...............................2 ...........2 ...........0 ...... 12 .....16.7%H Brown ...........................2 ...........1 ...........3 ......26 ........7.7%WINNING POSTSTAPETADistance (mtrs) Posts 1-5 Posts 6-10 Posts 11-14Sprints 1,200 - 1,400 11 3 2Middle 1,600 7 5 2Routes 1,900 - 2,200 10 9 4AMERICAN-TRAINED STARTERS2010Race Horse Odds FinishAl Quoz Sprint California Flag 3-2 3rdDubai Golden Shaheen Kinsale King 9-2 1stDubai Duty Free The Usual Q T 8-1 4thDubai Duty Free Take The Points 10-1 5thDubai Duty Free Courageous Cat 4-1 9thDubai Sheema Classic Presious Passion 3-1 16thDubai World Cup Gio Ponti 3-1 4thDubai World Cup Richard’s Kid 7-1 7thDubai World Cup Crowded House 14-1 9th2011Race Horse Odds FinishAl Quoz Sprint Mr. Gruff 9-2 16thAl Quoz Sprint Quick Enough 16-1 8thAl Quoz Sprint Stradivinsky 9-1 13thGodolphin Mile Make Music For Me 20-1 7thGodolphin Mile I Want Revenge 7-2 10thGodolphin Mile Crowded House 23-1 14thDubai Golden Shaheen Euroears 2-1 2ndDubai Duty Free Victor’s Cry 10-1 5thDubai Sheema Classic Bourbon Bay 9-1 11thDubai Sheema Classic Champ Pegasus 5-1 12thDubai World Cup Gio Ponti 4-1 4thDubai World Cup Fly Down 12-1 13thTURFDistance (mtrs) Posts 1-5 Posts 6-10 Posts 11-14Sprints 1,000 - 1,400 9 1 3Middle 1,600 - 2,000 6 7 3Routes 2,400 - 2,800 2 2 1WINNERS’ RUNNING STYLETAPETADistance (mtrs) MADE ALL FORWARD MIDPACK CLOSERSprints 1,200 - 1,400 4 9 2 1Middle 1,600 1 4 5 4Routes 1,900 - 2,200 0 8 11 4TURFDistance (mtrs) MADE ALL FORWARD MIDPACK CLOSERSprints 1,000 - 1,400 2 2 6 3Middle 1,600 - 2,000 2 3 6 5Routes 2,400 - 2,800 1 3 0 120

Dubai Dubai World World Cup Players’ Cup ULTIMATE Guide PLAYERS’ GUIDEGodolphin MileYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Skysurfers (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2010 Calming Influence(IRE) Mahmoud Al Zaaroni Ahmed Atejbi2009 Two Step Salsa (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2008 Diamond Stripes (USA) Richard Dutrow Jr. Edgar Prado2007 Spring At Last (USA) Doug O’Neill Garrett Gomez2006 Utopia (JPN) Kojiro Hashiguchi Yutaka Take2005 Grand Emporium (SAF) Mike de Kock Weichong Marwing2004 Firebreak (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2003 Firebreak (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2002 Grey Memo (USA) Warren Stute Gary Stevens2001 Festival of Light (USA) Saeed bin Suroor David Flores2000 Conflict (FR) Nick Robb Ted Durcan1999 Lend A Hand (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori1998 Allied Forces (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori1997 Kassbaan(USA) Saeed bin Suroor Jerry Bailey1996 Tereshkova (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Olivier PeslierPast WinnersDubai Duty FreeYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Presvis (GB) Luca Cumani Ryan Moore2010 Al Shemali (GB) Ali Rashid Al Raihe Royston Ffrench2009 Gladiatorus (USA) Mubrak bin Shafya Ahmed Atejbi2008 Jay Peg (SAF) Herman Brown Anton Marcus2007 Admire Moon (JPN) Hiriyoshi Matsuda Yutaka Take2006 David Junior (AUS) Brian Meehan Jamie Spencer2005 lvstroem (AUS) Tony Vasil Nash Rawiller2004 Right Approach (GB) Mike de Kock Wiechong Marwing2003 Ipi Tombe (ZIM) Mike de Kock Kevin Shea2002 Terre A Terre (FR) Eric Libaud Christophe Soumillion2001 Jim And Tonic (FR) Francois Doumen Gerald Mosse2000 Rhythm Band (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Ted Durcan1999 Altibr (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Richard Hills1998 Annus Mirablis (FR) Saeed bin Suroor Gary Stevens1997 Tamayaz(CAN) Saeed bin Suroor Lafranco Dettori1996 Key of Luck (USA) Kiaran McLaughlin Gary StevensUAE DerbyYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Khawlah (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor Mickael Barzalona2010 Musir (AUS) Mike de Kock Christophe Soumillion2009 Regal Ransom (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Alan Garcia2008 Honour Devil (ARG) Mike de Kock John Murtagh2007 Asiatic Boy (ARG) Mike de Kock Weichong Marwing2006 Discreet Cat (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2005 Blues and Royals (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Kerrin McEvoy2004 Lundy’s Liability (BRZ) Mike de Kock Weichong Marwing2003 Victory Moon (SAF) Mike de Kock Wayne Smith2002 Essence of Dubai (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2001 Express Tour (USA) Saeed bin Suroor David Flores2000 China Visit (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Richard HillsAl Quoz SprintYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 JJ The Jet Plane (SAF) Mike de Kock Kevin Shea2010 Joy and Fun (NZ) Derek Cruz Brett Doyle2009 JJ The Jet Plane (SAF) Mike de Kock Kevin Shea2008 (2nd Div) Instant Recall (IRE) Musabah Al Muhairi Wayne Smith2008 (1st Div) Mutamarres (GB) Doug Watson Richard Hills2007 Great Britian (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco DettoriDubai Golden ShaheenYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Rocket Man (GB) Patrick Shaw Felix Coetzee2010 Kinsale King (USA) Carl O’Callaghan Garrett Gomez2009 Big City Man (USA) Jerry Barton Ahmed Atejbi2008 Benny The Bull (USA) Richard Dutrow Edgar Prado2007 Kelly’s Landing (USA) Eddie Kenneally Lanfranco Dettori2006 Proud Tower Too (USA) Sal Gonzalez David Cohen2005 Saratoga County (USA) George Weaver Javier Castellano2004 Our New Recruit (USA) John Sadler Alex Solis2003 State City (USA) Paddy Rudkin Michael Hills2002 Caller One (USA) James Chapman Corey Nakatani2001 Caller One (USA) James Chapman Corey Nakatani2000 Big Jag (USA) Tim Pinfield Alex Solis1999 Ramp and Rave (USA) Dhruba Selvaratnam Willie Supple1998 Mudallel (GB) Dhruba Selvaratnam Willie Supple1997 Atraf(GB) Kiaran McLaughlin Jerry Bailey1996 Kassbaan (USA) Saeed bin Suroor John CarrollDubai Sheema ClassicYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Rewilding (GB) Mahmoud Al Zarooni Lanfranco Dettori2010 Dar Re Mi (IRE) John Gosden William Buick2009 Eastern Anthem (IRE) Mubarak bin Shayfa Ahmed Atejbi2008 Sun Classique (SAF) Mike de Kock Kevin Shea2007 Vengeance of Rain (NZ) David Ferraris Anthony Delpech2006 Heart’s Cry (JPN) Kojiro Hashiguchi Christophe Lemaire2005 Phoenix Reach (IRE) Andrew Balding Martin Dwyer2004 Polish Summer (GB) Andre Fabre Gary Stevens2003 Sulamani (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2002 Nayef (USA) Marcus Tregoning Richard Hills2001 Stay Gold (JPN) Yasuo Ikee Yutaka Take2000 Fantastic Light (USA) Sir Michael Stoute Kieran Fallon1999 Fruits of Love (USA) Mark Johnston Kieran Fallon1998 Stowaway (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco DettoriDubai World CupYear Horse Trainer Jockey2011 Victoire Pisa (JPN) Katsuhiko Sumii Mirco Dimuro2010 Gloria De Campeao (BRZ) Pascal Bary Tiago Pereira2009 Well Armed (USA) Eoin Harty Aaron Gryder2008 Curlin (USA) Steve Asmussen Robbie Albarado2007 Invasor (ARG) Kiaran McLaughlin Fernando Jara2006 Electrocutionist (USA) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2005 Roses In May (USA) Dale Romans John Velazquez2004 Pleasantly Perfect (USA) Richard Mandella Alex Solis2003 Moon Ballad (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori2002 Street Cry (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor Jerry Bailey2001 Captain Steve (USA) Bob Baffert Jerry Bailey2000 Dubai Millenium (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Lanfranco Dettori1999 Almutawakel (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Richard Hills1998 Silver Charm (USA) Bob Baffert Gary Stevens1997 Singspiel(IRE) Sir Michael Stoute Jerry Bailey1996 Cigar (USA) William Mott Jerry Bailey21