Blockbuster Weekend: Dubai World Cup, Terrific Tweets and Kentucky Derby Double Takes

Saturday's Dubai World Cup was a blockbuster event for horse racing. It had a little bit of everything required for a uniquely entertaining experience.

Need drama? Gloria de Campeao's nose victory in the $10M World Cup was breathtaking.

Brazilian-bred Gloria de Campeao nosed Lizard's Desire in the $10 million Dubai World Cup


Need laughter? Trainer Carl O'Callaghan's railbird river dance for Kinsale King conjured tears of joy.

The race was almost as good as trainer Carl O'Callaghan's railbird dance


Need speed? Joy and Fun demonstrated fearsome movement capturing California Flag in the late going.

An exhilarating sprint to the wire for Joy and Fun


Confrontation? How about jockeys Willie Supple and Christophe Soumillon's heated exchange in the jock's room after Soumillon's risky rail dive aboard Musir nearly toppled Supple and Izaaj in the UAE Derby.

Watch carefully as Musir makes a late rail move


Extravagance? The breathtaking Meydan track was simply stunning.

A quicky video of Meydan at night


All that was missing is a love story. Though I suppose you could argue that several of the equine winners of these events will get to make a little love in the less that romantic confines of a stud farm in the very near future.

From a handicappers perspective, there was every opportunity to get as rich as the horse owner's assembled in the desert. When longshot Al Shemali raced through the wire in front, he set off an outstanding set of payouts. My HorsePlayer Interactive results page listed Al Shemali as a $292 winner. The exactor with Bankable paid $2,754.50. The triactor was worth more than $23K.

One would argue that was an impossible race to pick. Actually, the DRF's Steven Crist argued the whole event was impossible to handicap.

The richest horse race in history was staged in Dubai earlier today, and it was a $10 million advertisement for how synthetic surfaces can make a complete mess of so-called world-class championship racing. For all that it proved about the quality of the contestants either individually or as a group, the results of the Dubai World Cup might as well have been drawn out of a hat.

That posting brought strong words in return from blogger The Dresden File in a post entitled, The Passion of the Steven.

Steven Crist is often one of the first and most effective in pointing the finger at some of racing's ills. Even if you disagree with him, his columns and posts are usually informative.

Unfortunately, he also has a tendency to become excessively adamant on some of his pet causes, to the point where his repeated articles on the subject not only become repetitive, but where his passion for the cause gets the better of his reasoning.

I find there's truth in both writer's perspectives.

The main issue I have with handicapping these multiple ship-in events is that there is no main point of reference for all horses. There's a lot of guess work involved in trying to sort out which horse might like a particular surface. Throw in a lack of local workouts, long layoffs for most horses involved and almost zero coverage of the post parade and gallops leaves me well outside my comfort zone.

To effectively handicap such events you need to put a lot more emphasis on the ability of the trainer and the experience of the jockeys. Especially those that work in Dubai regularly. Oh - and you better expect to build a bigger, more expensive ticket which is just not in my handicapping repertoire.

It's an awful lot of interpretation and guess work, but the pools are so big how can you not at least dip your toe in?

From a personal standpoint, I was having an incredible morning of handicapping. I picked the winners of the opening two races - Joy and Fun paid $38.40 to win the Al Quoz Sprint. Calming Influence paid $29 to win the Godolphin Mile.

Of course, I was playing cheapy exactors rather than betting to win and managed to pick first and third in both those events as California Flag and Skysurfers let me down. Those exactors paid $921.20 and $389.60 respectively. Oops.

Particularly enjoyable was watching all of these incredible races from the comfort of my own home while having breakfast, sipping on a cup of tea and Tweeting with fellow racing fans.

Here's a sample of some of my favourite Saturday Tweets:

Jessica Paquette, handicapper at Suffolk Downs, found the silver lining in waking up early on a Saturday.

I love watching world class racing in my pajamas.

Lady LongShot also enjoyed the early morning exacta experience:

Woke up to my longshot winner in Dubai ^___^ then hit the 14-10 exacta (while I slept) I'm in such a daze- holy jumpin easter bunny!

Colin's Ghost yearned for more insight into the life of the rich and famous following a trackside interview:

Sheikh says the day is the highlight of his WEEKEND! Wonder what he's got going on next weekend...

EJXD2 aka Ed DeRosa, news editor for Thoroughbred Times, was having the day of his life hitting Win/Place plus the Exacta in the richest race in the world.

Playing the aforementioned Crowded House with Gloria de Campeao. I can't ignore 25-1 on the latter.

The Brock Talk appreciated the partying lifestyle of Kinsale King.

"Keeping the horse happy back in quarantine eating grass and drinking Guiness." -- Carl O'Callaghan, trainer of Kensale King.

Kevin Stafford who was on an 80s kick all morning sung a winning tune following Gloria De Campeiao's brilliant win:

In keeping with my 80's theme today: "Gloria, Gloria, I got your number!"

Vic Zast loved the Dubai World Cup, especially in comparison to the Breeder's Cup:

DWC Night's best moments: Carl O'Callaghan's jubilatory jig and GdeC's win by a whisker. Why is Dubai so much fun and BC so dull?

The Tweets would continue on into the afternoon as the online community settled in for two Kentucky Derby preps - the Louisiana Derby and the Lane's End.

Larry Zapeye just seconds before post-time popped up with a lucrative tweet on the undercard.

Turfway Park...race 7...#7 Orchestrator is the first of some live McPeek / Solis ridden horses...7-1...must beat the 4

When USA Network lost their signal to Turfway Park before the Lane's End, Gary Stevens jumped in to make the race call much to the amusement of SuperTerrific.

wow, Gary Stevens has been a jock, a trainer, a TV personality and now he's a race caller!

ThoroughbredZone fills out the triactor for those that felt Mission Impazible could pull off the assignment in the Louisiana Derby:

I Think Both Drosselmeyer & A Little Warm Will Run Good Races Today

Valerie of Fillies First quickly recognized that trainer Todd Pletcher is neck deep in Derby contenders following Mission Impazible's LD win:

If Pletcher doesn't win Derby this year, he never win. Period.

A dejected Triple Dead Heat looked for solace following Hotep's 11th place finish. (And if you watched Sunday's Sunland Derby it's not too hard to imagine Endorsement following Mine That Bird's path to the Kentucky Derby.)

dang it. cheered for hotep, wasnt happening. ah well, we all know derby goes through sunland anyway

For race videos from the Dubai World Cup, click on the link below and you'll be taken to the underlined race on Youtube.

Joy and Fun upsets California Flag in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint.

Calming Influence with an assured win in the Godolphin Mile.

Musir, "Yes Sir" in the UAE Derby

Kinsale King rules in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen

Longshot Al Shemali shocks the $5 million Dubai Duty Free

Dar Re Mi won big "do" in the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic

Gloria de Campeao by a nose to take the Dubai World Cup


* * *

Sam-Son Farm colt Hotep tried his best in the Louisiana Derby but faded in the stretch finishing 11th as Mission Impazible stormed to victory over A Little Warm and Drosselmeyer.

One lucky on-track fan was awarded $10K to wager on the event before the race and selected Hotep taking his odds from 46-1 down to 20-1 not long before post time. An ambitious selection but at least he didn't wager on the favoured Discreetly Mine who finished fourth.

Hotep will likely be freshened and then pointed towards the $1M Queen's Plate.

Mission Impazible out duels A Little Warm and Drosselmeyer to win the 2010 Louisiana Derby


The Lane's End Stakes was over for Connemara at the opening bells when breaking in air from the inside post. To top it off, the horse beside him in the gate stepped left immediately closing in the morning line favourite. Conversely, Dean's Kitten had a beautiful stalking trip and proved strongest down the lane fending off Northern Giant to win convincingly.

However, those that watch the replay will be far more impressed with the late close from Connemara who ran wide down the lane to finish third galloping out strong.

Dean's Kitten wins the Grade 2 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park


In 2009, Mine That Bird finished fourth in the Sunland Derby (won by Kelly Leak) and nobody cared. In 2010, there was a captive audience watching as Endorsement made a huge statement while ridden for the first time by Robby Albarado.

Endorsement stalked the favoured Conveyance on the final turn and took control at the eighth pole to win by three lengths. The final time for the 1 1/8-mile event was an excellent 1:48.46.

Of the three Derby preps this weekend, Endorsement's was by far the most visually appealing. It was the Distorted Humour colt's first time facing winners and only his fourth lifetime start.

Welcome to the Derby Contender list!



Endorsement upsets Conveyance to win the Sunland Derby


* * *

A great blog post on Bloodhorse.Com's Triple Crown Talk discusses the multiple Kentucky Derby contenders for trainer Todd Pletcher. Click here to read the full post entitled, Eight in the Gate?


As of Saturday, Pletcher already has three horses that seem to be locks for the Derby: Rule, Mission Impazible, and Discreetly Mine. All three are done prepping and have plenty of graded earnings to get in. Mission Impazible punched his ticket with his Louisiana Derby upset and Discreeetly Mine ran a good enough fourth to merit a trip.

Pletcher has four other horses with one Derby prep remaining: Interactif and Aikenite in the Blue Grass, Super Saver in the Arkansas Derby or Wood, and Eskendereya in the Wood. Both Interactf and Aikenite have plenty of earnings to get in. Pletcher would need to see solid efforts from both in the Blue Grass, especially from Aikenite, but if both hit the board there is a chance both will earn a bid.

* * *

While Hotep may have disappointed in Louisiana, there was plenty for Woodbine folks to cheer about at the Fair Grounds this past weekend.

Eugene Melnyk homebred Porter's Gate was an impressive winner in a turf sprint for trainer Malcolm Pierce. Jockey Patrick Husbands coolly watched the speed burner Atticus Kristy and waited until the last possible moment to swoop for victory.


Patrick Husbands guides Porter's Gate to victory for Malcolm Pierce and Eugene Melnyk


In the final race on the card, Josie Carroll's Where is Em? got up in the nick of time to win by a nose. Where is em" is owned by Mark and Tina Casse.

Where Is 'Em won by a nose for trainer Josie Carrol in Saturday's 12th race


Roger Attfield's Lady Shakespeare finished a hard fought second to Speak Easy Gal in Sunday's Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream. The following report can be found on Bloodhorse.Com

Lady Shakespeare, who had fallen back on the final turn for John Velazquez, charged through the lane while closing between Nehantic Kat and Mushka. But she ran out of time as Speak Easy Gal hit the wire just in front. The final time was 2:28.46.

“There wasn’t much speed in the race and I knew I was going to go right to the lead," Trujillo said. "Every time she runs, she breaks sharp, and I was able to slow things down on the lead and get away from them a little up front. She was always going along very comfortable, and it was a slow pace; very easy going for her.”

I will update this post with race video once available.

* * *

I hope you enjoyed this weekend as much as I did. Over the next few days I will be revamping the order of my Queen's Plate contender list and expect to have some news updates regarding at least one of the contenders.

World Class Day of Racing From Dubai (With Video) to the Florida Roller Derby

Nad Al Sheba racetrack bid a stunning farewell in its last day of racing with a $21M card full of furious finishes, hometown heroes and an impressive wire-to-wire romp by American invader Well Armed. I caught all the action live courtesy of HPI TV.

American transplant Two Step Salsa racing in the famous blue Godolphin silks comfortably held off a late charge from stablemate Gayego to take the Mile. 70-1 shot Don Renato snuck in late for show and prefaced what would become a day of serious money-making opportunity for savvy punters. The 4/13/2 Triactor paid $561.20.Two Step Salsa was ridden by Air Show Dettori.

Godolphin Mile


Up next was the UAE Derby which was meant to be the introduction of Desert Party to the Kentucky Derby debate, but quickly turned into the Regal Ransom show. With Alan Garcia in the irons, Regal Ransom took to the lead and was never headed striding strongly down the lane to easily hold off a flattening Desert Party. Dettori looked to have Desert Party in good stead, racing calmly, but when it came time to run, his horse just wouldn't move. Under strong urging, Desert Party finally got into stride at the shadow of the wire but he was never catching Regal Ransom and it should be noted that on the gallop out after the race, Regal Ransom remained in front. It appears that both Godolphin horses are headed to Kentucky.

UAE Derby


The Golden Shaheen featured twelve sprinters trying six straight panels on the long stretch run of Nad Al Sheba. Multiple G1 winning filly Indian Blessing would go off as the favourite but she made her move just a little too early on the long straightaway and got lost on the lead. As Indian Blessing raced off the grandstand rail nearing the finish line, Big City Man - a four year-old Northern Afleet colt - accelerated into the lead leaving no time for Indian Blessing to regroup

Golden Shaheen


Gladiatorus, winner of eight of eleven lifetime starts, stole the Dubai Duty Free under a magnificent ride from apprentice Ahmed Ajtebi. This was a horse that some experts suggested was here to set the pace for Balius. As it turns out, the rabbit ran away and hid. Ex-jock Gary Stevens was providing colour on this race and joked after that "maybe their (the other jockeys) goggles got fogged up and they didn't see him up there!" Stevens wasn't far off in his assessment. Gladiatorus had such a comfortable lead that by the turn into the stretch most punters were busy checking the bottom part of their exactor ticket. An ecstatic Ajtebi crossed the wire waving his hands and pointing at his horse. It was an emotional moment for the young man who provided the understatement of the day explaining his easy win, "He's a super horse and I think I caught the other jockeys by surprise." Big name horses knocked off in this race included Vodka, Kip Deville, Archipenko and Paco Boy. A British handicap horse by the name of Presvis nipped them all home for place and created an exactor that paid $584.70. If you managed to have Alexandros and Nicanero on your Superfecta, you could have collected $373,416.40 FOR A BUCK.

Dubai Duty Free


Ajtebi would set the twittering masses alight with his ride on Eastern Anthem in the Sheema Classic steaming through deep stretch to win by a nose. An excited Ajtebi was confident enough of the win to wave his whip at the crowd, but anyone holding tickets on this 18-1 longshot held their breath for the photo. Spanish Moon and Purple Moon finished second and third respectively, unable to rise to the occasion. A pair of horses that have run well at Woodbine - Quijano and Doctor Dino - never factored here. Big thanks to Superterrific, EJXD2, Colin's Ghost, bloodstock and Mibredclaimer for keeping things interesting this morning on Twitter. The 2/4 exactor from this race was worth a ridiculous $641.40, but the 2/4/7/6 Superfecta was a paltry $22,868.35 for your Canadian dollar.

Dubai Sheema Classic


The evening was capped off with the $6M Dubai World Cup. Handicappers took note of Ajtebi's earlier work and his mount Happy Boy was not allowed to get too far gone on the tote board. Earlier in the Dubai broadcast, Aaron Gryder was asked if he thought his mount Well Armed could get the distance and Gryder smiled confidently into the camera. It was one of those hindsight tips that a lot of us are probably wishing we could take back. Well Armed was quick to the front and held close by Gryder before exploding through the lane to win going away by some 14 lengths. An absolutely fabulous performance that will have his California connections partying late into the evening. If you happened to catch the 7/6 exactor with Gloria de Campeao up for place then you'll be celebrating a $1,059.50 payoff. The superfecta of 7/6/13/11 with Paris Perfect and Muller on the tail end punched an astonishing $415,344.05 for your dollar.

Dubai World Cup


The next edition of the Dubai World Cup will be run on the billion-dollar Meydan Racecourse. If you happened to nail a couple Superfectas today, you probably have enough capital to buy a horse to race in Dubai for 2010.

In the Florida Derby, Dunkirk faced off against Quality Road and Theregoesjojo in a Kentucky Derby entrance deciding prep. After relatively even quarters set by Casey's On Call of 23.49, 46.83 and 1:10.66, Quality Road and John Velazquez made a strong move at the top of the stretch, squeezing out Theregoesjojo, and then fought off a rally from Dunkirk to win in a track record 1:47.72. Kent Desormeaux, jockey of Theregoesjojo, has plenty to be upset about after his claim of foul against Quality Road was denied. There's no doubting that Quality Road cut him off effectively ending his race, but I believe that the best horse won this race. There were plenty of excuses being made for Dunkirk in the post-race interviews, but he was just never catching Quality Road on this day. Blame it on the track, the rider or whatever you please but it's an uphill battle to get Dunkirk into the Derby now.

On a final note, let's bid a fond farewell to Alysheba who was euthanized today at the age of 25. I'll never forget his awesome performance in the Kentucky Derby that had my dad on his feet yelling at the screen on Woodbine's third floor. This was a horse that captivated the racing nation. From his stirring battle with Ferdinand in the 1987 Breeders' Cup to the shadowy victory in what has become known as "The Midnight Classic", Alysheba truly was America's horse. Rest in peace old friend, and thank you for the memories.

Alysheba wins the 1988 Breeders' Cup Classic

Dubai World Cup - Will Desert Party Emerge?

The Dubai World Cup is one of the biggest racing days of the year, but in North America many racing fans are still focused on narrowing down the potential Kentucky Derby field. For many, the reason may have to do with access to information about the card and the ability to actually watch the individual races.

Canadian racing fans are fortunate to be able to watch and wager on the full Dubai card starting Saturday morning from 9:30AM on HPITV.

Before continuing further though, Triple Dead Heat would like to commend The Meadows for providing racing fans with a triple dead heat! On Tuesday, TSM Goldenridge, Serious Damage and magnificently-monikered Teen Elvis crossed the wire at the same time in what was almost a quadruple dead heat!

Getting back to the potential desert party on Saturday, the races on the card are as follows: (Links provided by Dubai Race Night)

Duty Free (8.89f, Turf, $5 million)
Godolphin Mile (8f, dirt, $1 million)
Golden Shaheen (6f, dirt, $2 million)
Kahayla Classic (10f, dirt, $250,000 - Arabians)
Sheema Classic (12f, turf, $5 million)
UAE Derby (9f, dirt, $2 million)
World Cup (10f, dirt, $6 million)

Last year, Curlin absolutely dominated the World Cup field.


This year, the field is wide open. Albertus Maximus is the probable favourite along with local hero Asiatic Boy, but those two will be challenged by Well Armed and Arson Squad. Also competing is the temperamental Anak Nakal who is a Jekyll & Hyde type on form bouncing between brilliant and bewildering. Perhaps the biggest wildcard in the race is Japan's Casino Drive. The winner of the G1 Peter Pan a year ago has done little since and now has an opportunity to stake his claim on the world stage.

If you really must have a Derby contender on the card to make it interesting, then look no further than the UAE Derby where Desert Party will carry the Godolphin colours to well-backed victory under guidance from Lonfranco Dettori. Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor is confident going into this race, "He is a horse that reminds me of his dad, Street Cry. He looks like him, he is always really calm. He looks stronger this time and I am happy with him - it is a big test before the Kentucky Derby."

Other notables racing on the day include, but certainly not limited to:
Indian Blessing (Golden Shaheen)
Kip Deville (Dubai Duty Free)
Vodka (Dubai Duty Free)
Doctor Dino (Sheema Classic)
Marsh Side (Sheema Classic)
Red Rocks (Sheema Classic)

So, set your alarm for 9:30AM Saturday morning and tune in to HPITV to enjoy what should be a fantastic day of racing.

View the pre-entries for the Dubai World Cup here:



Dubai Pre-Entries

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