Dick’s Picks Feb. 24

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. 24 card at Meydan Racecourse.

Race 1: Jaguar XF Trophy Handicap
About 1 ¼ Mi. on the Turf
$175,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 100+

This race will start down the backstretch and be run around one turn.  LOLAMAR (Martino Alonso) was a good winner here two starts back on the turf going this distance despite post 12. She overmatched last week and finds the right group today. HUNTING TOWER (Fort Wood) ran well behind the top choice two starts back then came back to win on the Tapeta going long which should have him fit and ready for today’s switch back to the turf. WAR MONGER (War Chant) has improved with each start here and won last week when he overcame post 11.

Selections:
#5     LOLAMAR
#1     HUNTING TOWER
#2     WAR MONGER

Race 2: Jaguar XK Trophy Handicap
About 1 3/8 M. on the Turf
$120,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 100-110

This race will be run around two turns with a long run into the first turn. PRIZEFIGHTING (Smart Strike) did not get the best of rides last week when the rider never tried to save ground. He’s been doing well on Tapeta all meet and gets Barzalona. STAR EMPIRE (Second Empire) Beat a little bit better handicap horses two starts back here on the turf but his start on Tapeta at the beginning of the meet was very solid. BURDLAZ (Indian Ridge) draws the rail today and gets Ajtebi. Always have to respect the al Zarooni horses going long.

Selections:
#4   PRIZEFIGHTING
#1   STAR EMPIRE
#5   BURDLAZ

Race 3: Range Rover Sport Trophy Handicap
About 6 Fur. 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 on the main track. ATLANTIC SPORT (Machiavellian) has been disappointing here in his four starts but he’s been close enough and takes off weight. CHALIE’S MOMENT (Indian Charlie) makes his UAE debut but many of these types need a race to get ready. Won a grade three stakes at Hollywood Park two starts back going seven furlongs in fast time. MONSIEUR JOE (Choisir) has been running great in turf sprints here and won his only start on an all-weather track.

Selections:
#3     ATLANTIC SPORT
#4     CHARLIE’S MOMENT
#7     MONSIEUR JOE

Race 4: Jaguar XJ Trophy Handicap
About 1 3/16 Mi. 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 two turns on the main track with a short run into the first turn. SWEET LIGHTNING (Fantastic Light) was a good second behind the red-hot GOLDEN SWORD here last week and faces no such monsters today. SAHARA KINGDOM (Cozzene) could not overcome post 13 on the turf behind a track record holder but he loves all-weather tracks. ROCHDALE (Bertolini) has been in against good ones for most of the meet and gets William Buick.

Selections:
#3    SWEET LIGHTNING
#5    SAHARA KINGDOM
#13  ROCHDALE

Race 5: Meydan Classic (Listed) sponsored by al Tayer Motors
About 1 Mile on the Turf
$150,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO
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.  This race will be run around one turn on the turf with a long run into the first turn. JANOOD (Medicean) was no match for the classy ZANZAMAR while breaking from post 14. He makes his second start off a layoff and switches back to the turf for bin Suroor/Dettori. KRYPTON FACTOR (Kyllachy) was a good second two starts back going seven furlongs on the turf then raced well from post 12 last out going a mile on the Tapeta. LORD OF THE STARS (Speightstown) was a good winner here last out going seven furlongs and should be fit in his third start of the season.

Selections: 
#5     JANOOD
#4     KRYPTON FACTOR
#11   LORD OF THE STARS

Race 6:  UAE Oaks (Group 3) sponsored by al Tayer Motors
About 1 3/16 Mi. on the Tapeta main track
$250,000 Northern Hemisphere  & Southern Hemisphere 3YO Fillies

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.  MAHBOOBA (Galileo) was a dominant winner here last out going a mile and gave every impression that the added distance will only be to her benefit. The horse she beat last week was a terrific second against older horses last week. ELECTRIC WAVES (Exceed and Excel) returns to the races off a long layoff and makes her all-weather debut. She won a group three stake last out and is bred to go long. KHAWLAH (Cape Cross) broke her maiden two starts back then was third in a group three last out four months ago.

Selections:
#3     MAHBOOBA
#4     ELECTRIC WAVES
#5     KHAWLAH

Race 7: Range Rover Trophy Handicap
About 1 Mile on the Turf
$175,000 Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For horses rated 100+

This race is run around one turn with a long run into the first turn. HUJAYLEA (Almutawakel) almost got up in time when racing wide every step. He gets in light again with apprentice rider Conor Hoban and draws the same post. Dangerous at the distance and the weight. SEA LORD (Cape Cross) has been facing much tougher in his last four starts but has to tote top weight here. COLONIAL (Cape Cross) was beaten as the 8-5 favorite here last out and should be fit from his two recent races.

Selections:
#6    HUJAYLEA
#1    SEA LORD
#2    COLONIAL