JC / Railbird

Dubai

Dubai Scene

From “Dubai is for flamingos,” Harpers, June 2009:

The Dubai World Cup, touted as the world’s richest horse race, goes on as scheduled. Each year on a Saturday in the spring, thousands of people descend upon this patch of grass in the desert to watch horses circle a magnificently fancy track. In the public section, where admission is free, the Sudanese, most of them northerners, turn out in the biggest numbers, followed by the Pakistanis, the Indians, and assorted others; together they partake of a Woodstock-sized group picnic. In what is referred to as the Apron View section, where tickets go for several thousand dirhams, droves of drunken expats, beet-colored from the sun and abundant booze, stumble about the lawns in pointy heels and hats shaped like birds and paisley suits and watch anything but the races. There is a champagne bar called The Bubble Lounge, a Style Arena in which an elaborate ladies’ fashion competition is staged, and much slurred enunciation and giddy gyration to very bad house music.

Call it Ibiza meets the Kentucky Derby with a dash of Royal Ascot …

Posted in Racing on July 10, 2009 / Tagged Commonplace, Crowd Scenes, Dubai, Dubai World Cup, International

Notes for 2009-03-24

– Albertus Maximus, likely Dubai World Cup favorite, looked “awesome” galloping on Monday, said assistant Trish McLaughlin. But Pat Cummings, in Dubai for the races and blogging at Dubai Race Night, reports the 5-year-old BC Dirt Mile winner looked “noticeably washy.” The pictures back him up. [3/25/09 Update: Albertus Maximus appeared improved on Tuesday, and Cummings writes, that despite the horse’s general sogginess, “I can’t knock what I’ve actually seen of the favorite.”

– No change to my top 10 Derby prospects in this week’s PDI. Rachel Alexandra remains #1 for at least one more week. Late Triple Crown nominations are being accepted through Saturday, and trainer Hal Wiggins said over the weekend that, “the door is still open.” The next start for the filly, whether she points to the Oaks or the Derby, is the April 5 Fantasy Stakes.

– Remembering Lil E. Tee, euthanized on March 18 at age 20: Claire Novak talks to Pat Day about his first Kentucky Derby winner; John at Not Always to the Swift recounts a visit between Pennsylvania-breds.

Posted in Racing on March 24, 2009 / Tagged Albertus Maximus, Derby Prospects, Dubai, Kentucky Derby, Lists, Rachel Alexandra