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| Staff Writer |
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Forever Young is ready to take on all challengers in Saturday's Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse after his impressive victory in the Saudi Cup last month.
The Japanese star, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, faces 10 rivals in the Gr.1 contest but enters the race in formidable form having beaten Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior by a neck in Riyadh, with the rest of the field more than 10 lengths behind.
Yahagi, known in racing circles as "the man in the hat" for his colourful race-day headgear, believes his charge has improved following that tough battle.
"Of course, he had a tough race, and he was a little fatigued for a few days," Yahagi said after Forever Young drew gate 5 in ceremonies April 2. "My staff really did a great job in aiding his recovery and from then the plan was always to come here and compete in the Dubai World Cup.
"I think the extra 200 meters will be an advantage for him and also going four turns will benefit him."
The Dubai World Cup is run over 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles), around two sweeping bends which in international terms equate to four turns, compared to the Saudi Cup's 1,800 metres (about 1⅛ miles) around one turn at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
"I've been asked a lot about how he has come out of the race and his overall condition, and some people have been concerned," added Yahagi. "But I actually think that, having experienced that tough race, he has improved to another level. I think it's all positive. I don't see any negatives."
Last year's Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro returns to defend his crown, having finished a distant third in the Saudi Cup. His stablemate Wilson Tesoro, who was fourth in Riyadh, also lines up for trainer Noboru Takagi.
Takagi said of Wilson Tesoro that he was "happy to avoid a wide draw" in gate 3 while the late-running Ushba Tesoro will "run his own race, regardless of the draw."
The American contingent is led by Rattle N Roll, who finished fifth in Saudi Arabia and will break from post 2. Trainer Kenny McPeek was pleased with the draw.
"It's a long run to the first turn and he can tuck in and find his way from there," McPeek said. "In these races, you need to save as much ground as possible."
Fellow US hopefuls Il Miracolo, Mixto and Katonah drew gates 6, 8, and 11 respectively. Leandro Mora, assistant to Mixto's and Katonah's trainer Doug O'Neill, seemed relatively satisfied, while Antonio Sano said he was granted his wish of "the middle rather than the inside or outside" for Il Miracolo.
Local trainer Bhupat Seemar, who won the 2004 World Cup with Laurel River, saddles Walk of Stars, winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge, and stablemate Imperial Emperor. Seemar expects Walk of Stars to be "rocking and rolling" on the lead, possibly alongside Forever Young.
The Dubai World Cup holds special significance for Japanese connections.
"The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win," Yahagi explained. "In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second. That was meaningful for the people. They were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular."
Even with a potential World Cup victory, Forever Young's connections view this as just another step in their global campaign. The 4YO son of Real Steel won the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby in 2023 before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone.
After winning the Japan Dirt Classic in October, he returned to America to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.
"Last year, we were unable to win a Group One overseas with these two horses," jockey Ryusei Sakai said, referring to Forever Young and stablemate Shin Emperor. "This year, we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race."
A victory on Saturday would secure Forever Young an automatic berth in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic on November 1.