Dick's Picks for Dubai World Cup Day March 31

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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.

Race 2: Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) sponsored by Etisalat (9:10 a.m. EDT)
About 1 Mile on the Tapeta main track
$1,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run around one turn on the main track with a long run into the far turn. AFRICAN STORY (Pivotal) was a sharp winner here last out winning a group III over course and distance and draws well with Frankie back aboard. He loves all-weather tracks and can get a perfect trip in behind the leaders. DERBAAS (Seeking The Gold) just missed two starts back on the turf then ran well in a group I last out. He loves going a mile on any surface and should be able to stalk from mid-pack while saving ground. SANDIGYR (Dr Fong) romped in his all-weather debut then came back to run well going a mile in a group II from post 11. He draws well and gets Barzalona.

Selections:
#4    AFRICAN STORY
#7    DERBAAS
#3    SANDAGIYR

Race 3: Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-IIIT) sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (9:45 a.m. EDT)
About 2 Miles on the Turf
$1,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will have a half-mile run to the finish line and then go one full lap around the turf course. FOX HUNT (Dubawi) was a sharp winner here last out going 1¾ miles and even though he had the advantage of a race over the course, I think he’s the better horse. Look out Melbourne Cup (Aus-I). OPINION POLL (Halling) was a sharp second two starts back behind FAME AND GLORY then was second to the top choice here in his first start in over four months. MIKHAIL GLINKA (Galileo) was a good second here two starts back going ten furlongs then came back with a sharp win in a 16-runner field.

Selections:
#11   FOX HUNT
#10  OPINION POLL
#8    MIKHAIL GLINKA

Race 4: UAE Derby (UAE-II) sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (10:25 a.m. EDT)
About 1 3/16 Miles on the Tapeta main track
$2,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO

This race will be run around two turns on the main track with a good run into the first turn. WROTE (High Chaparral) was a dominant winner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) last out at Churchill and makes his all-weather debut here. He has a little speed if Ryan Moore wants to use it and figures to be the main danger late in the race. MICKDAAM (Dubawi) won the Al Bastakiya Stakes at course and distance three weeks ago and will be tough again with Christophe Soumillon aboard. BALADA SALE (Not For Sale) ships in here from Argentina off five straight wins, the last two in group I company when he romped by 11. He should be able to make the lead early and try to dominate from there.

Selections:
#13  WROTE
#6    MICKDAAM
#4    BALADA SALE

Race 5: Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-IT) sponsored by Emirates NBD (11 a.m. EDT)
About 5 Furlongs on the Turf
$1,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run down the straightaway of the turf course. The low program numbers are on the inside of the turf course. ORTENSIA (Testa Rossa) won a group I sprint in Australia, which is a big deal considering how well Australian sprinters do around the world. Game mare is 3 for 4 at the distance. JOY AND FUN (Cullen) is still going strong at the age of 8 and comes in here off a win going six furlongs in fast time at Hong Kong in a group I stake. EAGLE REGIMENT (El Moxie) is a lightly raced 4YO that is improving greatly and won a group I in Hong Kong two starts back.

Selections:
#10  ORTENSIA
#6    JOY AND FUN
#11   EAGLE REGIMENT

Race 6: Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) sponsored by Gulf News (11:35 a.m. EDT)
About 6 Furlongs on the Tapeta main track
$2,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run around one turn on the main track with a long run to the first turn. HITCHENS (Acclamation) merits a slight edge in a race loaded with speed; he might have the perfect set-up. He won a group III sprint two starts back here at this distance and drops significant weight. Having De Sousa is a big plus. THE FACTOR (War Front  ) might be the fastest horse in the world but he’ll be under severe pressure here and loses Martin Garcia. LUCKY NINE (Dubawi) has been knocking heads in Hong Kong against group I company and has a good record on the all weather surfaces.

Selections:
#6    HITCHENS
#7    THE FACTOR
#12   LUCKY NINE

Race 7: Dubai Duty Free (UAE-IT) sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (12:25 p.m. EDT)
About 1 1/8 Miles on the Turf
$5,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run around one turn on the turf with a five-furlong run down the backstretch to the far turn. AWAIT THE DAWN (Giant's Causeway  ) won three in row last year before getting sick and going to the sidelines. He was brought back in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) going 1 ½ miles where he acted as a pacemaker for his stablemate ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY. He has enough speed to keep from getting shuffled back and should make first run turning for home. DARK SHADOW (Dance In The Dark) ships in from Japan in good form and has a big win in fast time at this distance. MUSIR (Redoute’s Choice) was a sharp winner in a group II stakes two starts back and then used a main track race to prep for this. Draws well and gets Kevin Shea.
Selections:
#2    AWAIT THE DAWN
#7    DARK SHADOW
#5    MUSIR

Race 8: Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-IT) sponsored by Longines (1 p.m. EDT)
About 1 1/2 Miles on the Turf
$5,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run around one lap of the turf course with a long run into the clubhouse turn. MAHBOOBA (Galileo) did not get any help from her stablemate two starts back and wound up with a lead she did not want. She came back with a smashing victory last out from post 10 and now stretches out in distance. ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY (Montjeu) was a sharp winner in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) and is well suited by the distance. He’ll need some pace to run at and don’t know if he’ll get it. SONGCRAFT (Singspiel) won two races at the Carnival then was third from post 12 last out. He draws the rail and gets De Sousa back for Godolphin.

Selections:
#4    MAHBOOBA
#9    ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY
#1    SONGCRAFT

Race 9: Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) sponsored by Emirates Airline (1:40 p.m. EDT)
About 1 1/4 Miles on the Tapeta main track
$10,000,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+

This race will be run around two turns of the main track with a long run into the clubhouse turn. GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again  ) should have a major pace advantage over these and will have to use it from post 14. He’s a group I winner at the distance and should have won the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) but for running on the worst part of the track. Won his prep race for this and has the right running style for the World Cup. SO YOU THINK (High Chaparral) is a ten-furlong specialist that picks up Joseph O’Brien who is one of his work partners in the morning. Can’t imagine Coolmore running him here if he was not fit and ready, and his first start last year off a similar layoff was sensational. ROYAL DELTA (Empire Maker) won her lone start at today’s distance and has a beautiful stride that covers a lot of ground. She galloped out well in her prep and is in the hands of master trainer Bill Mott.

Selections:
#14  GAME ON DUDE
#4    SO YOU THINK
#7    ROYAL DELTA
 

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