Godolphin Racing's Monterosso, seeking to become the first two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), was scratched out of the $10 million race at Meydan Racecourse on the day of the world's richest race.
In a March 30 Tweet, Godolphin said the son of Dubawi who won the 2012 Cup after finishing third the previous year, would be a non-runner. According to the Dubai Racing Club, Monterosso was determined to be lame in his left foreleg.
With Monterosso scratched, Godolphin said jockey Mickael Barzalona would now ride Godolphin's African Story in the 1 1/4-mile race.
Monterosso, who has earned more than $7.4 million, has made two starts since his World Cup triumph, finishing eighth in the Coral Eclipse (Eng-I) last July and 10th at Meydan in his World Cup prep.