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: Al Bastakiya sponsored by Emirates (8:05 a.m. EST)
About 1 3/16 Miles On the Tapeta main track
$250,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO
This race will be run around two turns on the main track with a long run into the first turf. MICKDAAM (Dubawi) ws a good second here last out going a mile and should benefit from the extended trip. He draws post 1 and gets Christophe Soumillon in the irons. KINGLET (Kingmambo) was a sharp winner last out when he was taken back at the start and rallied strong in the stretch to get up in time. He draws well and gets Mickael Barzalona back aboard. CASH LUCK (Bradbury’s Luck) ran well in Singapore before shipping here. He tried turf first time out and now switches to the all-weather.
Selections:
#1 MICKDAAM
#5 KINGLET
#2 CASH LUCK
Race 3: Mahab al Shimaal (UAE-III) sponsored by Skywards (8:40 a.m.)
About 6 Furlongs on the Tapeta main track
$200,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run around one turn on the main track with a long run into the first turn. KRYPTON FACTOR (Kyllachy) could be the one to catch here as he has shown good speed all meet. He just missed last out and has more than enough speed to overcome post 12 with Kieren Fallon aboard. AUGUST RUSH (Var) ships in from South Africa where he was a group stakes-winning turf sprinter. He makes his all weather debut for Herman Brown and gets Ryan Moore. HITCHENS (Acclamation) was a sharp winner here last out in a group 3 and draws okay.
Selections:
#12 KRYPTON FACTOR
#7 AUGUST RUSH
#9 HITCHENS
Race 4: Meydan Sprint sponsored by Emirates Sky Cargo (9:15 a.m. EST)
About 5 Furlongs On the Turf
$175,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run down the straightaway of the turf course. PROHIBIT (Oasis Dream) ran dull in his first start off the layoff but he drops seven pounds and should be much fitter. Won a group 1 at Royal Ascot last year and is highly-rated here. REGALLY READY (More Than Ready ) won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT) last year going this distance and has good early speed. Gets Frankie. INVINCIBLE ASH (Shamardal) was no match for SOUL, who would be odds-on against these, last week here. Prior starts were going longer and he draws well.
Selections:
#8 PROHIBIT
#9 REGALLY READY
#14 INVINCIBLE ASH
Race 5: Burj Nahaar (UAE-III) sponsored by Emirates Sky Cargo (9:50 a.m. EST)
About 1 Mile On the Tapeta main track
$200,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run around one turn on the main track with a long run down the backstretch. MUSIR (Redoute’s Choice) looks to have these at his mercy. He’s won both starts here already this year and uses this as his prep for the World Cup (UAE-I) or the Mile (UAE-II). Only negative is that he has not had a hard race yet. AFRICAN STORY (Pivotal) beat the red-hot BARBECUE EDDIE two starts back then was a good third in a group 3 here going a mile. Frankie picks up the mount. GITANO HERNANDO (Hernando) returns off a long layoff and a big win for Herman Brown and looks to be using this as his prep for the World Cup.
Selections:
#1 MUSIR
#4 AFRICAN STORY
#11 GITANO HERNANDO
Race 6: Dubai City of Gold (UAE-IIT) sponsored by Skywards (10:30 a.m. EST)
About 1 1/2 Miles on the Turf
$250,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run around two turns on the turf course with a long run to the first turn. SHIMRAAN (Rainbow Quest) is the highest rated horse in the field and Frankie Dettori rides him even though he had the choice of many others. SONGCRAFT (Singspiel) has won his first four career starts and gets tested for class here. All four of his wins came at narrow margins which shows he has courage. CAMPANOLOGIST (Kingmambo) is a 7YO that had a big year last year with two group 1 wins and is prepping for the Sheema Classic (UAE-IT) in here.
Selections:
#10 SHIMRAAN
#12 SONGCRAFT
#2 CAMPANOLOGIST
Race 7: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-I) sponsored by Emirates (11:05 a.m. EST)
About 1 ¼ Miles On the Tapeta main track
$400,000 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 first turn. MONTEROSSO (Dubawi) could have won last year’s World Cup if he had running room in the lane. Off since then, he’s shown in the past that he can run well fresh. Barzalona returns in the irons. Not sure if MENDIP (Harlan's Holiday) can get the distance but he was very impressive here last out and loves this racetrack. BOLD SILVANO (Silvano) former group 1 stakes winner in South Africa looked good last year but he missed the World Cup. He returned this year in a mile race and should love the added distance today.
Selections:
#1 MONTEROSSO
#9 MENDIP
#2 BOLD SILVANO
Race 8: JEBEL HATTA (UAE-IT) sponsored by Emirates (11:40 a.m. EST)
About 1 1/8 Miles On the Turf
$300,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run around one turn of the turf course with a long run into the turn. MUTAHADEE (Encosta De Lago) has won both starts here and even overcame post 13 last time out going this distance. He draws well today and gets Christophe Soumillon back aboard. PRESVIS (Sakhee) won the Duty Free (UAE-IT) last year and loves this turf course. Ryan Moore is back aboard. RIVER JETEZ (Jet Master) just missed in the Duty Free last year and faced top company the rest of the year.
Selections:
#9 MUTAHADEE
#3 PRESVIS
#12 RIVER JETEZ