Canani Ready to Win First World Cup Race

After sending seven starters to the Dubai World Cup program without a win, trainer Julio Canani is ready to visit the winner's circle. The Southern California-based trainer will be looking for his first win when he saddles Island Fashion in Saturday's $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II).

To date, Canani's best finish on a World Cup program is a second-place effort by Tsigane in the 2005 edition of the Mile.

"They treat you well and respect you, and anytime you have a horse that fits you have to come," Canani said during Thursday morning's Breakfast with the Stars program at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. "I would really like to win a race here one day."

The Godolphin Mile will mark the first start for Island Fashion under Canani's care and her first start of the season. Island Fashion was transferred from trainer Marcelo Polanco after a third-place finish in last December's Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II).

"She's been training very well and carrying her weight very well," the trainer said. "For a long time at Santa Anita I haven't seen her training the way she has been training now."

Come World Cup day, Canani said he would like to see his mare lay off the pace, in third or fourth place, then come with a full run. "Once they leave the gate it's out of your hands. We just have to hope for the best."

Island Fashion, a 6-year-old homebred daughter of Petionville  , races for Jeff Nielsen's Everest Stables. She will break from post nine under jockey Martin Pedroza.

The field for the $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II):

1-- Utopia (Yutake Take)
2-- Holiday Camp (W. Smith)
3-- Court Masterpiece (Kieren Fallon)
4-- Win River Win (H. Karatas)
5-- Shamoan (John Velazquez)
6--Marbush (Johnny Murtagh)
7-- Lundy's Liability (Weichong Marwing)
8--Jack Sullivan (Eddie Ahern)
9--Island Fashion (Martin Pedroza)
10--Blatant (Kerrin McEvoy)