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2019 Dubai World Cup Workouts


Thursday morning at Meydan Aidan O'Brien had his string out on the track for the first time.
Date: 03/28/2019

On Thursday morning in Dubai, entrants for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and its rich undercard were at Meydan Racecourse on the main track during Breakfast With The Stars. Like Wednesday, rain fell during training hours with temperatures in the mid 70's. The races will be run Saturday evening (Saturday morning in North America), with the World Cup going to post at 9:40pm local time (1:40pm ET). In North America the full card will be broadcast live on TVG in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada. In addition, NBC Sports Network's show will start at 12:30pm.

Here are photos and comments for 16 horses that were out Thursday morning. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.


Audible (Dubai World Cup) drew post 4 and will have Flavien Prat aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher. Under exercise rider Amelia Green, Audible came to the track in his usual time slot, shortly after 7:00 a.m., to gallop twice around. “He has trained better in the mornings as a 4-year-old than he did as a 3-year-old, so that’s kind of an odd turn of events,” WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said. “He’s not a horse who is going to really grab you in the morning and pull as hard as he can. He’s just a cool customer. That’s still the same."

Dolkong (Dubai World Cup) is stuck out in post 13 with Olivier Doleuze aboard for trainer Simon Foster. He performed a regulation canter on the dirt on Thursday morning under his work rider Lizzie Stubbington. “What we can control has gone as well as we could have hoped,” said trainer Simon Foster. “It’s not ideal by any means that he drew widest of 13 in the Dubai World Cup, but that’s the way it goes. He was never going to be up on the pace, but it does make the task harder, no doubt.”

Gunnevera (Dubai World Cup) is on the rail in post 1 with Emisael Jaramillo aboard for trainer Antonio Sano.“This morning he went half a lap the opposite way of jogging and then went a lap and a half of galloping,” assistant trainer Alex Sano said. “It was very good, my father was happy with the work of the horse and we’re happy with the post position. We think number 1 is going to help him a lot, those in 2 and 3 are speed horses and are going to be going for the lead, and we are going to be saving ground on the inside.”

Seeking the Soul (Dubai World Cup) will break from post 5 with Mike Smith aboard for trainer Dallas Stewart. He was among the first horses on the track Thursday morning, coming on right at 5:00 a.m. and galloping twice around. “He did great,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “He’s ready.” Stewart and Fipke are teaming up with their second straight Dubai World Cup attempt one year after their champion mare Forever Unbridled finished a close fifth against the males.

Yoshida (Dubai World Cup) will break from post 10 with Jose Ortiz aboard for trainer Bill Mott. He took to the Meydan dirt track at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday under exercise rider Penny Gardiner. “He’s a horse that’s versatile and runs over anything,” assistant trainer Riley Mott said. “He just had a regular gallop and finished up down the backside. We’re just trying to keep him happy until race day. He’ll have a gallop day tomorrow and then give him a light day on race day."

Hunting Horn (Sheema Classic) was third in Qatar last out for trainer Aidan O'Brien. He was among the five envoys from Ballydoyle who made their first appearance on the dirt track on Thursday morning a little after 7:00 a.m. as the worst of the morning rain cleared. "They have settled in well since arriving late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Not a bother on any of them. Hunting Horn has got plenty of air miles already this year, but we think he can run a good race. ." said Matt Gleeson, part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling team.

Magic Wand (Sheema Classic) finished second last out in the Pegasus World Cup for trainer Aidan O'Brien. She was among the five envoys from Ballydoyle who made their first appearance on the dirt track on Thursday morning a little after 7:00 a.m. as the worst of the morning rain cleared. "They have settled in well since arriving late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Not a bother on any of them. Magic Wand is in good form. She should run well." said Matt Gleeson, part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling team.

I Can Fly (Dubai Turf) won his first race back this year at Dundalk on the all-weather course for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Was among the five envoys from Ballydoyle who made their first appearance on the dirt track on Thursday morning a little after 7:00 a.m. as the worst of the morning rain cleared. "They have settled in well since arriving late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Not a bother on any of them. I Can Fly travelled well; happy with her" said Matt Gleeson, part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling team.

Switzerland (Golden Shaheen) has had two unsuccessful local races for trainer Steve Asmussen and will need to improve to factor here. Owned by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the $500,000 auction purchase needs to rebound strongly to stay on top of the expected blistering pace.

X Y Jet (Golden Shaheen) is now the top US-based horse after the scratch of Roy H today. He was 4th in the Sunshine Millions Sprint then won an allowance at Gulfstream Park in the slop prior to going to Dubai. The 7-year-old Kantharos grey trained over a wet Meydan dirt on Thursday just after 7:00 a.m. under exercise rider Anthony Cruz. "He looks good. He's ready. My little horse has handled everything. Is he going to run a big race? Yes," trainer Jorge Navarro said. "Today was his last day of training and he'll walk tomorrow so we can keep him fresh. I think I'm the speed of the speed. We're going to find out who's faster. One thing with the American horses - they use a beep here, not a bell – so, they won't be used to that. X Y Jet, he's heard it before. This is his third time here and he's acting like he's at home. He loves it here."

Plus Que Parfait (UAE Derby), whose name means 'more than perfect' in French, is going to make the most from draw four and Tommy Molloy, the assistant trainer to Brendan Walsh said: "He's feeling great and doing absolutely wonderful since he arrived from South Florida. He's full of energy so we're over the moon." He galloped once around and schooled in the starting gate with new jockey Jose Ortiz who said, "He felt really good today. I think he fits really good in this spot and has a good chance."

Stubbins (UAE Derby) will have to overcome post number 12 to get his ticket to the Kentucky Derby for trainer Doug O'Neill. "We are very happy with what we saw today," said Leandro Mora, Doug O'Neill's assistant. "So we are looking forward to tomorrow and then the race. Actually, we are kind of happy if it rains more because he won by nearly ten lengths when it was raining in California, so we are smiling."

Van Beethoven (UAE Derby), a son of Scat Daddy, comes in off a 4th place finish at Dundalk over the all-weather course for trainer Aidan O'Brien. He was among the five envoys from Ballydoyle who made their first appearance on the dirt track on Thursday morning a little after 7:00 a.m. as the worst of the morning rain cleared. "They have settled in well since arriving late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Not a bother on any of them. It was a very good run by Van Beethoven in his prep a few weeks ago when he carried a 5lb penalty. The boss thinks this track and trip should suit him." said Matt Gleeson, part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling team.

Lost Treasure (Al Quoz Sprint) is in for trainer Aidan O'Brien. O'Brien said, "Lost Treasure is entered for the sprint on turf and he seems in good order, as well." He was among the five envoys from Ballydoyle who made their first appearance on the dirt track on Thursday morning a little after 7:00 a.m. as the worst of the morning rain cleared. "They have settled in well since arriving late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Not a bother on any of them. Lost Treasure has loads of ability and we hope the track is fast for him on Saturday." said Matt Gleeson, part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling team.

Coal Front (Godolphin Mile) comes in off a win in the Razorback Handicap (G3) for trainer Todd Pletcher. He came out at 5am to avoid the rain, galloping once around under exercise rider Amelia Green. With regular rider John Velazquez staying behind in the USA, Coal Front is set to have Jose Ortiz in the irons for the first time this Saturday.

Call the Wind (Dubai Gold Cup) is a 5-year-old son of Frankel who is trained in France by Freddy Head. He came onto the track with a pony then cantered once around by himself. Head said, "The rain doesn't change anything for us. The ground will be fine. He has won in good and in soft ground. He is just going to be ticking over now until Saturday."

A tradition at Meydan is to paint the winning owner's colors on a horse statue. On the left are Thunder Snow (2018), Cigar (1996), California Chrome (2016), and Singspiel (1997). On the right are Dubai Millennium (2000) and Prince Bishop (2015).

Thursday is Breakfast With The Stars at Meydan and the trophies for all the stakes were on display for the fans. At the event, fans can see Dubai World Cup racing stars and enjoy an exciting morning featuring live commentary, entertainment, raffle draws, interviews with the trainers, owners and jockeys and a lavish breakfast buffet.

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