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California Chrome, Lea gallop over Meydan strip
A nine-time winner with Grade 1 scores in the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Hollywood Derby on his resume, California Chrome would eclipse the $10-million mark in career earnings with a win on Saturday. "I'm just glad the owners decided to run him another year," Sherman said. "The Dubai World Cup has always been on (co-owner Martin) Perry's radar." Lea (First Samurai) galloped 2400 meters over the Meydan main oval Monday morning. "He went through his normal routine but he also stood in the gate, and that went very well," said assistant trainer Riley Mott. "He's had three gallops here and is moving very well over the track but you can't fully get a gauge on how much he likes it until you run over it." The 23-year-old son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Riley was just a young child when Cigar won the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup for his dad in 1996. "I don't have much recollection obviously, but I do know how significant this race is to my father and the owners." Mott said. "Not only does the purse stand out, but the prestige is growing by the year." According to Mott, Lea will have a blow out on either Wednesday or Thursday. “The boss (father Bill) gets into town tomorrow morning and he'll decide exactly what the horse will do," Mott said. "He'll likely go a quarter-mile."
"He took to the flight well and has been training well. We've been keeping him to the training track," Clapham said. "Graham gets in (Monday afternoon) and we'll decide if we will do something more with him. If we do anything (with regard to more serious work) it will be (Tuesday). We may bring him over to the main track on Wednesday to gate train." Voted champion turf male and champion older male last season, Main Sequence is targeting the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) over 1 1/2 miles. The Todd Pletcher-trained Mshawish (Medaglia d'Oro), aiming for the $6 million Dubai Turf (UAE-G1), took to the Meydan dirt track shortly before 7 a.m. for an easy gallop one and a half times around the 1800-meter oval under exercise rider Nick Bush. Ginny De Pasquale, who is supervising the horse was pleased, remarking: "He was very relaxed. Unbelievably relaxed. He seems to be enjoying himself." Monday marked the horse’s third trip to the track since arriving in Dubai last week. De Pasquale said that Mshawish, who comes into the Dubai Turf off three straight wins at Gulfstream Park, will school in the Meydan paddock Monday night. "He’s usually pretty good but we’ll let him look around tonight so he’s focuses on the job on the big night. I’m going to walk over to the paddock myself before we bring him over so I can re-familiarize myself with it," she said. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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