WinStar Farm’s 2010 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Drosselmeyer, who has been working strongly toward his 4-year-old debut, is being pointed to the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan March 26.
WinStar President Elliott Walden said Feb. 7 that plans call for Drosselmeyer to run in the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at the Fair Grounds Feb. 19 prior to going to Dubai.
“He’s doing great; he’s doing super. We’ll see what happens, but so far he’s doing everything right,” said Walden of the Distorted Humor colt out of grade 1 winner Golden Ballet.
Drosselmeyer breezed five furlongs at Payson Park in Florida Feb. 6 for trainer Bill Mott, stopping the clock in 1.00.80, co-fastest time at the distance with the move turned in by leading Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) candidate To Honor and Serve.
Rested following his resounding Belmont win over fellow Dubai World Cup nominees Fly Down and First Dude June 5 after incurring a minor ankle injury, Drosselmeyer has not raced since then. He resumed serious training two days before Christmas at Payson and his workouts could not have been better, with the last three ranking as bullets.
“We’re real happy with his works,” Walden said.
Both WinStar and Mott know how to win the Dubai World Cup. Well Armed carried the farm’s silks while breaking a record with his 14-length victory for trainer Eoin Harty in 2009. Mott also made history when he saddled the first winner of the world’s richest race, two-time Horse of the Cigar, in 1996.