Harlan's Holiday in Superb Dubai Work

(from Dubai report)
Harlan's Holiday and Nayef, two of the leading contenders for Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup, had important works at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday and Sunday.

Multiple Grade I winner Harlan's Holiday, the lone representative of the United States in the Dubai World Cup, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.72 on Sunday morning in his final serious move prior to the world's richest race.

Owned by the Starlight Stable of Jack and Laurie Wolf of Atlanta, Harlan's Holiday delighted assistant trainer Michael McCarthy, who observed the workout from the Maktoum Grandstand.

"I couldn't be happier," McCarthy said.

Under regular exercise rider Patricia Krotenko, Harlan's Holiday worked over 1,000 meters with the Australian-bred Stanzaic, prepared locally by Kiaran McLaughlin. The recent Donn Handicap (gr. I) was timed over the final 800 meters in :47 and the last 200 meters in :12.4.

Harlan's Holiday gave the impression he handled the piece of work very easily.

Trainer Todd Pletcher is due to arrive in Dubai later this week and plans to attend Wednesday's post position draw, McCarthy said.

A 4-year-old son of Harlan out of the Affirmed mare Christmas in Aiken, Harlan's Holiday is undefeated in two 2003 starts

Overall, he has won nine of 18 starts and earned $2,275,164.

Nayef, the outstanding British contender and a triple group I winner, was given a gallop under lights at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday night with race rider Richard Hills, who said he was impressed with the son of Gulch.

Nayef hasn't appeared at the races since his defeat of Golan in the group I Juddmonte International Stakes at York last August. He looked very well as he galloped over 1,000 meters on the dirt.

Nayef was clocked to run the 1,600 meters in 1:37.06, his final 800 meters in 50.30 seconds and a last 200 in 13.60 seconds.