Dubai World Cup Promises Maximus Appeal

by Patricia Woo | Mar 24 2009

Held in the lavishness that is Dubai, at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse for the final year before moving to Meydan racecourse in 2010, this Saturday a field of the finest 14 Thoroughbreds will face-off in a ten-furlong bid for a piece of the US$6-million-dollar purse.

Held annually since 1996, the early favorites for 2009 are Albertus Maximus and local Dubai hero Asiatic Boy. One of four US-trained entries, Albertus Maximus won three of his last four starts; however the Thoroughbred has only raced as far as ten furlongs once. Word on the street however, is that Albertus Maximus looked awesome” during a 2,000-yard run during training on Monday at the Nad al Sheba course.
Jockey Rob Massey said on Monday, “I couldn’t be happier” with how Albertus Maximus has been performing his morning exercise. He’s very professional—he just wants to get on with his job,” Massey continued. “He can be a little aggressive, but he’s settled in very well here. And if he wasn’t a little aggressive now, I’d be concerned.”
Albertus Maximus’ chief competition is local favorite Asiatic Boy, who won his most recent start at Nad Al Sheba and possesses a familiarity with the track that may prove be an advantage over Maximus and the seven other foreign entries.
Astiatic Boy’s four American competitors not only includes the aforementioned Albertus Maximus, but the Eoin Harty-trained Well Armed, who has run six times since coming in third at last year's Dubai World Cup, winning twice in San Diego Handicap in July and at the Goodwood Stakes in September. But Well Armed disappointed in the Breeders' Cup Dirt when after being named the favorite, he finished ninth behind Albertus Maximus. However, Harty commented that Well Armed is definitely at home in Dubai, remarking at his workout on Monday, “He enjoys his environment here. He thrives over here.”

Also representing the U.S. is the Nick Zito-trained Anak Nakal, who is hoping to overcome his downward spiral of four successive losses after winning the Pennsylvania Derby last September.

Japan’s Casino Drive is looking for a comeback after being scratched from the 2008 Belmont Stakes with a bruised hoof. Half-brother to Jazil, winner of the 2006 Belmont Stakes as well as three-quarter brother to Rags to Riches, Casino Drive earned an impressive Peter Pan Stakes victory last year by Big Brown’s regular jockey Kent Desormeaux.

“Our horse has been in good condition since he arrived in Dubai.” said racing manager Nobutaka Tada of Casino Drive. “He's eating very well, and there are no concerns about him so far.”

Other entries include My Indy, who beat second favorite Asiatic Boy on his most recent start at Nad Al Sheba. South African trainer Neil Bruss is hoping for a finisher in his two entries, Muller and Paris Perfect, who came in first and second in the King’s Cup, the country’s most prominent race.

With Dubai’s weather report for Saturday’s races calling for possible rain, the forecast might be better than the “widespread dust” the entries endured during Monday’s workout. It is difficult to determine whether Dubai’s desert environment will be a factor for the international competitors.

So if you’re headed to Dubai for all the extravagance, champagne and high society the Dubai World Cup promises, lucky you. You can still enjoy the extravagance at home by putting on a funky hat, opening a bottle of killer wine and betting on the Dubai World Cup in the Bodog Racebook.