18th Dubai World Cup features three American runners
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) – Champion mare Royal Delta leads a group of three United States based thoroughbreds into Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. The richest race in the world has a post-time of 2:05 p.m. (ET).
Along with Royal Delta from the United States are former Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Dullahan, winner of last year’s Pacific Classic. Also in the field of 13 is defending winner Monterosso.
Royal Delta, owned by Besilu Stable, has drawn post 8 with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith coming in to ride. Trained by Bill Mott, the 5-year-old was ninth in last year’s World Cup.
“I just decided to take one outside of seven, last year we were seven,” Mott said concerning the posr position draw. “The filly did well coming into the race last year but we didn’t have the easiest of trips, so we decided to come back right then and there. She is bigger and stronger this year.”
Royal Delta has won the last two Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classics and was voted 2011 champion 3-year-old filly and last year’s champion older female. To begin her 2013 campaign, she easily won the Sabin Stakes last month at Gulfstream Park. With 10 wins in 16 career starts, the mare has earned more than $3.7 million.
Breaking from post 12 will be 2011 Kentucky Derby champ Animal Kingdom and jockey Joel Rosario.
“To tell the truth I was glad one, two and three were already taken,” noted trainer Graham Motion. “I talked to Ramon Dominguez and he said that we wouldn’t want to see him caught on the inside. Hopefully Joel Rosario will have him in a good spot. Our tactics won’t change and he’s capable of coming from off of it if he has to. After all we won the Derby from post 16.”
Owned by Team Valor, Animal Kingdom began 2013 with a second-place finish behind Point of Entry in last month’s Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. He was second to Wise Dan in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile after being sidelined most of 2012.
Animal Kingdom has earned better than $2.3 million with four wins in 10 starts.
Donegal Racing’s Dullahan will start from post 3 and riding the 4-year-old will be Hall of Hall jockey Gary Stevens.
“Post 3 is alright, it’s a good spot we’d rather not be outside,” trainer Dale Romans sadi. “He’ll probably settle and come running. Gary Stevens and I will study the race and come up with a strategy.”
Dullahan won last year’s Pacific Classic after finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and winning the Blue Grass Stakes. He also finished seventh in the Belmont Stakes and fifth in both the Haskell Invitational and Jamaica Handicap as a 3-year-old. He recently finished 11th in a race at Meydan Racecourse.
With three wins in 15 career starts, Dullahan has earned more than $1.7 million.
Owned by Godolphin Stable, Monterosso will break from post 10 in the 13-horse field. Jockey Mickael Barzalona will be in the saddle to try to win a second straight World Cup.
“He is doing well and we are pleased with him. I am happy with the draw and I hope for success,” said Barzalona.
Monterosso, trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, won the 17th World Cup after finishing third in 2011 behind Victoire Pisa. Godolphin Stable has won the event five times.
The 6-year-old horse has won seven of 17 lifetime starts for better than $7.4 million.
Here is the field from the rail out for the Dubai World Cup: Treasure Beach, Christophe Soumillon; Red Cadeaux, Gerald Mosse; Dullahan, Gary Stevens; Hunter’s Light, Silvestre De Sousa; Capponi, Ahmed Ajtabi; Side Glance, Jamie Spencer; Planteur, Ryan Moore; Royal Delta, Mike Smith; Meandre, Maxime Guyon; Monterosso, Mickael Barzalona; African Story, Kieren Fallon; Animal Kingdom, Joel Rosario and Kassiano, William Buick.
All horses carry 125 3/5 pounds except Royal Delta who will carry 121 1/4 pounds.
Categorized in: Horses