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 Life Is Good with trainer Todd Pletcher on Friday morning at Meydan. |
On Friday morning in Dubai, entrants for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and its rich undercard were at Meydan Racecourse on the main track, turf course, and training tracks. Conditions were typical for late March in the Emirates, with clear skies and temperatures in the mid 90's during training hours rising to 104 during the day. The races will be run Saturday evening (Saturday morning in North America), with the World Cup going to post at 9:30pm local time (12:30pm ET). In North America the full card will be broadcast live on TVG in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada. In addition, FOX Sports 2's show will start at 8:00am.
Here are photos and comments for 11 horses that were out Friday morning. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.
 Life Is Good (Dubai World Cup) has been on the track every morning this week. Elliot Walden, the CEO and racing manager of co-owner WinStar Farm, said, "He just never has an off day. I've never seen a horse gallop as smoothly as he does everyday." |
 Midnight Bourbon (Dubai World Cup) galloped on the main track. The Steve Asmussen trainee comes here off a third place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1) for owner Ron Winchell. |
 Aero Trem (Dubai World Cup) was last seen finishing fifth in the Saudi Cup in February, but connections are hopeful with Pereira declaring, "He did a normal canter around the track and all is well pointing towards the big race. The jockey (Vagner Leal) got a good feeling aboard him and is looking forward to a good run tomorrow. All preparations have gone according to plan and he's done well and it's looking good and everything is in place." |
 Country Grammer (Dubai World Cup) was second in the Saudi Cup last time out for trainer Bob Baffert. |
 Glory Vase (Sheema Classic) is a two-time winner of the Hong Kong Vase (G1), latterly when making steady headway wide for a terrific victory last December. Chances, if equally effective after the break. |
 Colonel Liam (Dubai Turf) galloped on the dirt. Jacob West, racing manager for owner Robert Low said, "Liam always does everything well and really looks great out there. It is a very, very competitive race and we have an outside draw of 13 but we think he definitely fits and deserves a chance. We know no American horse has ever won the Dubai Turf before but we'd love if trainer Todd Pletcher became the first to do it. We thought his win in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes was just what he needed and he should come on from that run.” |
 Manjeer (Golden Shaheen) was second in the Mahab Al Shimaal (G3) on March 5, the main local prep for this race. |
 Pinehurst (UAE Derby) continues to train forward for trainer Bob Baffert. “He has done nothing wrong since coming to Dubai,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “It looked like in Saudi it was a bit of a closers’ track so we were really pleased with his effort there and we look forward to running here on this track.” |
 Gilded Age (UAE Derby) galloped on the main track. Assistant trainer Neil Poznansky said "He certainly looks the part. He has shipped over well and feels good going over this track.” |
 Casa Creed (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped on Thursday morning. Neil Poznansky, assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, said, "He has handled everything well. He likes it out here, and takes everything in stride." |
 Al Madhar (Dubai Gold Cup) has twice won Meydan handicaps this year, swooping in the straight each time. They were over 1 1/4 miles and this big step up in trip is an issue especially as he can race too freely. He finished 4th in the 1 1/2 mile Dubai City of Gold (G2) which is the main prep for the Sheema Classic, but will stretch out to 2 miles for the first time Saturday. |
 Bathrat Leon (Godolphin Mile) is winless since April, and also hasn't finished in the money, coming here off a 9th place finish in the Sports Nippon Sho Kyoto Kimpai (G3) at Chukyo in January. |
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