Godolphin Lacked Winner in Dubai
With Curlin the Superhero, Other American Horses Did Well at UAE
All Godolphin Racing's hopefuls failed in this year's Dubai World Cup races. American Horse of the Year Curlin starred, as A.P. Arrow, Benny the Bull, others thrilled.
All of Godolphin's pretenders to the Thoroughbred throne lacked the intensity and drive displayed by American and South African entries this year. Superhorse Curlin took the Dubai World Classic Cup easily, while Edgar Prado got two other winners in Benny the Bull (Dubai Golden Shaheen) and Diamond Stripes (Godolphin Mile), and A.P. Arrow finished fourth in the Classic to UAE 2007 Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy and Well Armed. American, Idiot Proof, with David Flores aboard, scored a second in the Shaheen.
American Trio of Winners Duplicated by South Africans
Trainers Richard Dutrow and South African Mike de Kock ran away with the Dubai show. Dutrow trained both Prado mounts, and de Kock got a third place showing from Well Armed behind Asiatic Boy, as well as winning purses from Honour Devil (UAE Derby) and Sun Classique (Dubai Sheema Classic for females). With Jay Peg capturing the Dubai Duty Free, South African trainer Herman Brown joined de Kock in the winner's circle, giving the South Africans a threesome to match the three American wins.
Dutrow wasn't in Dubai. He stayed in Florida to school Big Brown to the Florida Derby title.
Busy Sun Classique Could Stop in Chicago
The filly Sun Classique is Australian bred, owned by Lionel Cohen and Warne Rippon. Ridden by South African jockey Kevin Shea, the filly missed the Nad al Sheba track record for the Dubai Sheema Classic by five hundredths, cruising through the field in 2:27.45. She beat Hong Kong's best, Viva Pataca, France's Doctor Dino, Germany's Quijano, and Europe's Youmzain. The long-striding filly is headed for races in England and may stop by the Arlington Million in Chicago.
Jay Peg Wins As 50-1 Longshot
It wasn't supposed to be Jay Peg in the Dubai Duty Free, but South African jockey Anton Marcus, whose brother Selwyn co-owns the horse, took his mount early to the lead. Challenged late, Jay Peg responded well, getting up a half length on Darjina, while Archipenko nosed to third and Japanese star Vodka made fourth. A third Marcus brother, Basil, is a seven time riding champion in Hong Kong.
Jay Peg's other owners are Marsh Shirtliff, Etienne Braun, and Paul Loomes. Camden Park and Laptop Lady, by Al Mufti, are Jay Peg's pedigree. Jay Peg was clocked for the race in 1:46.20.
Honour Devil and Royal Vintage 1-2 in UAE Derby
Trainer de Kock, South Africa's best trainer five times over, beat Godolphin filly Cocoa Beach by eight lengths with Honour Devil getting to the winner's circle and Royal Vintage finishing second. Johnny Murtagh earned the mount on Honour Devil when regular rider Kieren Fallon failed drug testing.
The Breeders' Cup Classic may include Honour Devil, de Kock said, although he could opt for the Dirt Mile. Royal Vintage's impressive showing may move him up to the Dubai Classic next season, according to de Kock.
Although Godolphin Racing failed to bring home a winner this season, Thoroughbred racing is alive to stay in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Maktoum is the driving force behind Dubai's world carnival. He plans to raise the payday at Nad al Sheba Race Course to $10 million for the World Cup contests beginning in 2010, when the planned Meydan City racing festival presents its inaugural card.
