Dick’s Picks Feb. 17

Dick Powell has handicapped every race since the Dubai International Racing Carnival’s inception in 2004. He sets the morning line for the Carnival races and his selections and analysis can be found at www.amwestentertainment.com

Entries and past peformances for the Feb. 17 card at Meydan Racecourse.

Race 1: Attijari Points Reward Program Handicap
About 1 ¼ Mil. on the Turf
$120,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 100-110

This race will start on a chute on the backstretch and will be run around one turn. ENAK (Orpen) was a good second behind STEELE TANGO two starts back here on the turf going 9 furlongs then ran well going this distance on the Tapeta last out which should have him fit and ready for bin Suroor/Dettori. LANCELOT (Bahri) has been racing in Doha behind the classy BEETHOVEN who we should see on Dubai World Cup night. He was victimized by a poor post last out there and draws much better today. FLORENTINO (Swept Overboard) has been overmatched in his last two starts but should be fit from those efforts.

Selections:
#2     ENAK
#3     LANCELOT
#5     FLORENTINO

Race 2: Attijari Al Islami Visa Infinite Card Handicap
About 6 Fur. on the Tapeta main track
$150,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 95+

This race will be run around one with a long run into the first turn. INVINCIBLE ASH (Invincible Spirit) just missed in a five-furlong sprint on the turf here last out when he was run down in the final strides. Raced well two starts back at course and distance and like the rest in here, gets in light with 117 pounds while drawing well. J J THE JET PLANE (Jet Master) is one of the world’s  best sprinters but he makes his all-weather debut while spotting the field 14 to 15 pounds. ALO PURA (Anabaa) was a good third last out here behind OUR GIANT when he had traffic problems in the stretch.

Selections:
#7   INVINCIBLE ASH
#1   J J THE JET PLANE
#5   ALO PURA

Race 3: Attijari Al Islami Handicap (Meydan Masters Leg One)
About 1 Mile on the Tapeta main track.
$110,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 95-105

This race will be run around one turn out of a chute on the main track. HAATHEQ (Seeking the Gold) just missed in his Tapeta debut three starts back then raced well on the turf. Had no shot behind RAIHANA last out when she broke the track record for nine furlongs. NATIONAL PRIDE (Macho Uno) ships in from America for Godolphin and gets Ryan Moore. He has good early speed and should be the one to catch. ATLANTIC SPORT (Machiavellian) has had three starts on Tapeta this season and should be fit for a big effort here with blinkers added.

Selections:
#2   HAATHEQ
#4   NATIONAL PRIDE
#1   ATLANTIC SPORT

Race 4: Nad al Sheba Trophy sponsored by Al Dana Wealth Management
About 1 ¾ Mi. On the turf
$175,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run around two turns on the turf with a long run into the first turn. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. STAR EMPIRE (Second Empire) won here last out going 1 ½ miles after stalking a slow pace. Improving 4YO is still improving and the longer distance should be no problem with only 126 pounds. DRUNKEN SAILOR (Tendulkar) is a long-winded gelding from Luca Cumani that ran well here at the distance last out in his first start after going to Australia. POMPEYANO (Rainbow Quest) raced well here last year going long and showed he was back on his game last out when he was third despite breaking from post 13.

Selections:
#8    STAR EMPIRE
#5    DRUNKEN SAILOR
#9    POMPEYANO

Race 5: CBD World Mastercard Handicap (Meydan Masters Leg Two)
About 1 3/8 Mi. on the Tapeta main track
$150,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 95+
This race will be run around two turns on the main track with a long run into the first turn. PRIZEFIGHTING (Smart Strike) was no match for the classy ROCK N ROLL RANSOM two starts back then just missed against better last out going this distance. HALICARNASSUS (Cape Cross) should be fit from his two starts over the Tapeta. PALLODIO (Medicis) was a good winner on the all-weather at Deauville two starts back then ran evenly here. Has to tote highweight.

Selections: 
#13   PRIZEFIGHTING
#14   HALICARNASSUS
#2     PALLODIO

Race 6:  Al Fahidi Fort Stakes (Group 2) sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai
About 1 Mile on the Turf
$250,000 Northern Hemisphere 4+ & Southern Hemisphere 3+

Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions.  RAIHANA (Elusive Quality) was a monster winner here last week when she set the course record for 9 furlongs even with the rail out 12 meters and she drops two pounds off that effort. HEARTS OF FIRE (Firebreak) faced top 3YOs last year in Europe last year and was a group one stakes winner at two. He gets Ryan Moore and light weight for his 4YO debut. OUR GIANT (Giant’s Causeway) was a group one stakes winner on the turf in South Africa and raced well here in two all-weather sprints. Usually finishes his races strong so a mile is within his scope.

Selections:
#4     RAIHANA
#10   HEARTS OF FIRE
#1     OUR GIANT

Race 7: CBD Financial Services Handicap
About 7 Fur. on the turf
$150,000 Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 95+

This race is run down a long backstretch and around one turn. HUJAYLEA (Almutawakel) was a good third here last out and gets favorably treated here in the weights. WARSAW (Danehill Dancer) was a sharp winner here last out at 16-1 and picks up five pounds. Has to overcome post 13. MONTMORENCY (Pivotal) Raced well here on the Tapeta and should be fit from that efforts back on the turf.

Selections:
#4    HUJAYLEA
#2    WARSAW
#5    MONTMORENCY