| RUNNER'S LIST | Ten Furlongs takes a closer look at each horse:
- AJUSTE FISCAL (URU): The country of Uruguay will be represented in the US$12 million Dubai World Cup for first time when Ajuste Fiscal trained by Brazilian Antonio Cintra lines up for Saturday’s 25th edition in a field of 14. Was a strong third Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge R2 but a longshot in this contest.
- CAPEZZANO (USA): The son of Bernardini respectable fourth Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge R2, who will also start in this feature race of the evening.
“Certainly, we have been disappointed with his two runs so far, but he is getting older,’’ trainer Salem bin Ghadayer told At The Races before his last race. “Maybe he doesn’t have the sharpness he used to, but I am confident he still has the ability and that as the season goes on, he will show it. Maybe it is because of his training, he is a tricky horse, so we have to do what he wants to do, which means working him on his own terms and in his own.’’
The 7YO must prove his mettle here.
- CHUWA WIZARD (JPN): 6YO son of King Kamehameha and the JRA’s dirt champion of 2020 and will be making his second start of 2021 after a disappointing run in the Saudi Cup which was won by Mishriff. The colt is not to be taken lightly as he has definite winning potential.
- GIFTS OF GOLD (IRE): The 6YO son of Invincible Spirit won his last start defeating Andrew Balding trained Spanish Mission. “This was the plan since January when racing started in Dubai,’’ bin Suroor said after the race. “I thought he would be the perfect horse. He’s a big strong horse and he ran well. The pace of the race wasn’t that fast and that suited him, and he finished the race off really well, said his handler Saeed bin Suroor. However, the Godolphin colt will be facing a significantly shorter trip which could hamper his winning chances.
- GREAT SCOT (GB): The Abdullah Mushrif trained Saudi Arabian gelding has two wins from 3 starts last year. The son of Requinto finished a creditable third of 14 in Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz.
Saud Alkahtani, speaking on behalf of trainer, Abdullah Mishriff, said: "He’s training very good, he likes the track, it’s different compared with the Saudi track, here it’s sharper in comparison but he loves it."
Definitely has winning potential.
- HYPOTHETICAL (IRE): The son of Lope De Vega finished good 1¾ lengths behind Salute The Soldier in Maktoum Challenge R3 at this C&D 21 days ago. The 4YO colt carries the regal bloodlines of Godolphin and was previously trained by John Gosden. Likely to do well in this start.
- JESUS' TEAM (USA): The son of Tapiture finished runner up to Knicks Go in the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup and can give a good account.
Former Venezuelan leading trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo watched his colt going two steady laps on the dirt track on Friday morning and was pleased with what he witnessed.
D’Angelo said: "I am ready. A little nervous for sure, but we are ready. I can’t express this feeling. Not just to run, but to be running with a chance is amazing for me. Today he looked focused, better than yesterday. The rider said he’s 100%. My plan has gone well. We’re ready to rock and roll."
- MAGNY COURS (USA): The 6YO son of Medaglia D'oro has won his last three starts for top conditioner Andre Faber. "We are happy with him. He is handling the heat really well. It is quite late when we come out in the morning, but he has adapted well to the heat,” said the French trainer of his smart gelding.
Lightly raced, the homebred 4-year-old colt makes just his eighth start on Saturday. "He just has flourished here," Stidham continued. "Every day I’ve been watching his weight and seeing if his coat was changing, but he’s been perfect. I’m amazed at how well he’s taking all of this."
- MILITARY LAW: The son of Dubawi was below form in the Saudi Cup. The competition won’t be any lighter this time around and he’ll be lining up in the gate against many familiar and Group One-caliber foes from both the Saudi Cup and the winter’s Al Maktoum three-part Challenge Series. Will be an interesting watch but may not land in the trifecta.
- MYSTIC GUIDE (USA): The son of Ghostzapper is a high-class colt coming off a career best win in the Gr.3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn. The Michael Stidham pupil showing great form and has a winning chance.
Lightly raced, the homebred 4-year-old colt makes just his eighth start on Saturday.
"He just has flourished here," Stidham continued. "Every day I’ve been watching his weight and seeing if his coat was changing, but he’s been perfect. I’m amazed at how well he’s taking all of this,” he said.
- SALUTE THE SOLDIER: The 6YO gelded son of Sepoy finished third to Military Law in Maktoum Challenge R1 before winning next 2 Rounds over C&D, beat Hypothetical by 1¾ lengths 3 weeks ago. The Fawzi Nass charge has a strong winning chance.
- THEGREATCOLLECTION (USA): Trainer Doug Watson, the American-born six-time UAE training champion, and owner Zaur Sekrekov are confident that this Florida-bred belongs in the field. The 7YO son of Saint Anddan should acquit himself well.
- TITLE READY (USA): The 6YO homebred for Charles Fipke has an uphill task ahead of him.
“He’s bred to be a good horse, by More Than Ready from the family of Personal Ensign. He deserves a shot in this race. He’s a grinder and will keep trying,” said trainer Dallas Stewart whose longshots often outrun their odds to run second in major races, although its unlikely Title Ready will continue that tradition.
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