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Dubai World Cup Results

Godolphin could have its first Kentucky Derby starter since 2002 with Discreet Cat. The colt won the UAE Derby impressively by six lengths, beating a field that included older horses like previously undefeated Uruguayan Triple Crown winner Invasor, and is attracting excited attention as a result. British bookmaker William Hill made Discreet Cat its 5-1 Kentucky Derby favorite, but Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford is warning eager fans to wait before wagering:

And jockey Frankie Dettori sounded a note of caution after the UAE Derby as well: “I don’t know how he’s going to be against the best of the Americans,” he said. “But he showed great determination and focus.”
If Discreet Cat were to run in the Kentucky Derby, it would be only his fourth career start, going 1 1/4 miles against tested competitors like the current leading favorites Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron. However impressive his Dubai win, those are a couple of tough knocks to overcome.
Other Dubai results: Local horse Electrocutionist overcame a slow start from post one to win the World Cup by 1 1/4 lengths. “I knew he was a good horse and a special horse,” said happy owner Sheik Mohammed after. The Americans put in a good show, with Brass Hat finishing second, Wilko third, and Magna Graduate fourth.
Buff Bradley, trainer of Brass Hat, admitted some disappointment at the results, but said, “I got over it, and it took me about 10 seconds … We were so proud of Brass Hat. He made us proud. He ran super.”
Electrocutionist could start in this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, as might David Junior, who turned in an eye-catching performance winning the Dubai Duty Free. “He was swinging away like he was running in a maiden and when I asked him to quicken up, he went away like a rocket,” said jockey Jamie Spencer. “Once he had got out I was never going to get beaten.”
Related: Sources close to Ouija Board’s connections say jockey Kieren Fallon has lost the mount on the “wonder mare” following her poor showing in the Sheema Classic, and Wilko will remain with trainer Jeremy Noseda. The four-year-old returned to Noseda’s Newmarket barn following the World Cup, and may start next in the May 29 Met Mile or the June 17 Stephen Foster.

Posted in International on March 26, 2006

Dubai World Cup Links

Although I have TVG on this morning to watch the Dubai races, I’ll offer no picks or analysis here — I wouldn’t know where to begin handicapping fields with such an international cast. John at Not to the Swift, though, has no hesitations and has picks for each race, and Alan at Left at the Gate likes Magna Graduate for the World Cup. Anyone in need of past performances can get free PPs at the Daily Racing Form.
A Dubai chat room is open on the TBA site today, and TBA member Katrina is actually in Dubai, live blogging races and results on the Dubai Racing Club Carnival blog.

Posted in International on March 25, 2006

Cheltenham Wraps Up

The four-day Cheltenham festival (subject of Bill Barich’s new book, “A Fine Place to Daydream” — more on that next week) ended today, with Irish jumper War of Attrition winning the Gold Cup. “He was something else. He jumped each fence absolutely impeccably. I knew he had plenty in the tank from the way he pinged the last two,” said jockey Conor O’Dwyer. Favorite Beef or Salmon “turned in another lifeless effort” and finished eleventh.
This year’s festival was marred by a high death toll among runners. Five horses died of injuries on Thursday, three in one race alone, bringing the total number of horses killed to nine over the course of the festival, the highest fatality rate since 1996 when 10 died. The Jockey Club has already announced it will investigate the deaths and review safety procedures.
More: “A sub-standard Cheltenham, in the absence of Kicking King, Trabolgan and Feathard Lady? Forget it.”

Posted in International on March 17, 2006