 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
The upcoming "Super Saturday" meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival has a few horses that are seeking a late-season boost, rather than the races themselves, taking the spotlight. These include Cinderella's Dream and Ma Yetal, who were prominent earlier in the season, Simca Mille taking on some Godolphin talent in the turf marathon, and Laurel River, a graded winner in the United States in 2022, getting another chance after a disappointing first appearance in the desert
While "Super Saturday" was previously a major semifinal night for horses aimed at the Dubai World Cup program, the races have been scattered more widely around the calendar due to program restructuring. Therefore, the focus is on individual horses rather than the races themselves.
Kabirkhan, the California Chrome colt, previously raced in Russia, and his two January Carnival wins have his enthusiastic Kazakhstani owners hoping for a major upset in the World Cup itself. Although he held an entry for the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Classic , he was not declared. However, he qualified for the big race on March 30 by winning the "Win and You're In" Gr. Al Maktoum Challenge.
Cinderella's Dream is one to watch not only in the Jumeirah One Thousand Guineas on turf on Super Saturday but also in some major races in Europe this summer. The Godolphin homebred won both her starts in 2023 and was impressive in winning the Jumeirah Fillies Classic Feb. 2 in her 3YO debut. She stretches out Saturday to 1,600 (about a mile), after which trainer Charlie Appleby can decide on her future.
Ma Yetal, a Flameaway colt bred in Kentucky by John Oxley, gets the acid test in the Gr.3 Mahab Al Shimaal at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) on dirt. The 3YO puts his 2-for-2 record on the line against older horses in a race that's a natural lead-in to the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night.
The Dubai City of Gold at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) finds two returnees from the Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe taking on the all-conquering forces of Meydan proprietor Sheikh Mohammed.
Simca Mille, who had an impressive run through most of 2023 while racing in top company, finished 10th in the Arc. The 5YO son of Tamayuz won a comeback race in Doha in January, then reported sixth in the Gr.3 H H The Amir Trophy. Sisfahan came home seventh in the Arc after a few impressive mid-season performances in Germany. The Isfahan 6YO has not raced since that 1st Oct season-capper.
Godolphin's three horses are Bold Act, last seen winning the Gr.3 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland in October; Warren Point, winner of the Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes in his seasonal debut; and Castle Way, returning from a second-place finish in the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August.
Godolphin, Appleby, and Buick also have Star of Mystery, a 3YO Kodiac filly, taking on older rivals in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at 1,000 meters (about five furlongs down the straight course). She is 2-for-2 on the season and appears on a stellar trajectory.
Laurel River, the son of Into Mischief, will seek to return to his winning ways when he enters the gate for the about one-mile Gr.3 Burj Nahaa in his second start after the 17-month layoff. The 6YO had a well-spaced, three-race winning streak in California in 2021 and 2022, culminating in victory in the Gr.2 Pat O'Brien Stakes when trained by Bob Baffert for Juddmonte.
He was away from the races until Jan. 26, when he returned for Bhupat Seemar, a former Baffert assistant, in the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint . After vying for the lead into the stretch against a solid field, he faded to report seventh.
Finally, the only remaining Carnival date is a 8th March placeholder with no pattern races.