United States Stars Invited for Dubai Stakes

Pleasantly Perfect, Funny Cide, Congaree, Medaglia d'Oro, and some top Kentucky Derby (gr. I) candidates are among the U.S.-based horses who have been invited to compete in one of the seven stakes races at Nad al Sheba on March 27, Dubai World Cup Day, when more than $15,000,000 will be offered in purses.

The richest race is the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). Eleven horses from trainer Bob Baffert's barn have been invited to the event, including Congaree, During, Sarava, and Senor Swinger. Two of Bobby Frankel's top horses, Medaglia d'Oro and Peace Rules, were invited to run in the World Cup, as were Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Pleasantly Perfect, Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Funny Cide, grade I winner Candy Ride, and Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando. Wando and his stablemate Mobil were also invited to run in the Sheema Classic, the Godolphin Mile, and the Dubai Duty Free. Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Cajun Beat was among the horses invited to run in the Golden Shaheen (UAE-I).

Among the U.S.-based horses invited to participate in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-II) are Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) winner Second of June, grade I winner Silver Wagon, and grade II winner Eurosilver. Of that group, Baffert had the most U.S. invitees with five.

A total of 942 Thoroughbreds representing 25 different countries have been invited to compete. Standout invitees from other countries include Cox Plate (Aust-I) winner Fields of Omagh, Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) winner Refuse to Bend, and German-based multiple group I winner Paolini.

A total of 25 companies will sponsor a portion of Dubai World Cup Day, including Emirates Airline, which sponsors the feature race. Other sponsors include Dubai Duty Free, the Gulf News newspaper, The Palm, Jebel Al International hotels, Emaar, Budget Rent-A Car Dubai, Jaguar, Highland Spring, Hitachi, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tattersalls, and Weatherbys.

For more information or a complete list of all horses invited to participate, visit www.dubaiworldcup.com.