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Star-studded fields in prospect for Dubai

The Emirates Racing Authority on Monday announced the projected fields for Saturday's Dubai World Cup night program, and like the marquee event, the undercard is also shaping up to be a blockbuster. The two turf events, the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) and the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), will likely feature full fields of 16 horses. The three remaining Thoroughbred contests -- the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), the $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) -- likewise promise a contentious spectacle at Nad al Sheba.

Finsceal Beo fired well off a layoff in her 2007 debut and will try the same formula in the Duty Free (Dubai Racing Club) The nearly nine-furlong Duty Free could end up being a distinctly ladies' affair, as all five of the distaff hopefuls are top-caliber. Champion and dual classic heroine FINSCEAL BEO (Mr. Greeley) is slated to seek revenge on DARJINA (Zamindar), who just foiled her bid at an unprecedented Guineas treble in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-G1) last spring. New Zealand champion SEACHANGE (Cape Cross [Ire]), who is much fitter now than when tiring to sixth in the Jebel Hatta (UAE-G2) last time out; Japanese champion VODKA (Tanino Gimlet), the first filly in six decades to capture the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) last year; and Sun Chariot S. (Eng-G1) queen MAJESTIC ROI (Street Cry [Ire]) are other prime contenders. The males in the Duty Free will not be pushovers, however. Well-traveled Group 1 victor LINNGARI (Indian Ridge) only missed by a half-length in last year's edition, despite being compromised by an awful post, and will try to bounce back after finishing fourth to ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) as the two-time defending champion in the Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2). Japanese shipper ADMIRE AURA (Agnes Tachyon) represents the same connections as 2007 hero Admire Moon, and he prepped in the same manner, by landing the Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-G2). Others invading from the Pacific Rim are the dangerous Hong Kong pair of BULLISH LUCK (Royal Academy) and FLORAL PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus), both hailing from the powerhouse stable of Tony Cruz, and multiple Australian Group 1 winner NICONERO (Danzero).

Godolphin's Ramonti was forced to miss the Duty Free after a hind leg infection cost him valuable training time. His absence resulted in a reshuffling of the Godolphin turf squadron for the evening, and it also opened up a spot for the Doug O'Neill-trained NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]) in the Duty Free.

Sheikh Mohammed's flagship operation will send out multiple Group 3 winner CREACHADOIR (King's Best), who came within inches of taking the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) last December, along with new recruit LITERATO (Kendor), who was last seen garnering the Champion S. (Eng-G1).

The other Duty Free probables who have wintered in Dubai are LORD ADMIRAL (El Prado [Ire]) and JAY PEG (Camden Park), the top two finishers from the Jebel Hatta.

Viva Pataca hopes to deploy his dazzling turn of foot in the Sheema Classic (Hong Kong Jockey Club) Just as Japan will seek to take home the Duty Free trophy for the second year in a row, so will Hong Kong try to defend its crown in the about 1 1/2-mile Sheema Classic on the turf. Last year's Sheema winner Vengeance of Rain is now retired, but his worthy successor is VIVA PATACA (Marju). Indeed, Viva Pataca had already eclipsed Vengeance of Rain at home, and now appears ready to emulate his achievement abroad. In his latest venture, Viva Pataca exploded to a convincing score in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK-G1), the same contest that Vengeance of Rain used as a springboard to Dubai in 2007. Also last seen in Hong Kong was multiple Group 1 globetrotter DOCTOR DINO (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]), who swept to victory in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) in December. Three starts back, he scored in the Man o' War S. (G1) at Belmont. Doctor Dino is not the only Man o' War winner in the Sheema, for multiple Grade 1 veteran BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) is likewise ready to take his chance. The nine-year-old gelding, whose landmark victories include the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and the 2005 Man o' War, was a non-threatening sixth in the Fair Grounds H. (G3) last time out. SPRING HOUSE (Chester House), the only other American contender in the Sheema, enters off a 2 1/4-length triumph in the San Luis Obispo H. (G2).

German Group 1 king QUIJANO (Ger) (Acatenango) made an appearance in North America last year, crossing the wire a close third in the Canadian International (Can-G1). He was most recently fifth as the defending champion in the Dubai City of Gold (UAE-G3) to the mare GOWER SONG (Singspiel [Ire]), MOURILYAN (Desert Prince [Ire]), ORACLE WEST (Western Winter) and GRAVITAS (Mark of Esteem [Ire]), respectively. Another German Group 1 victor, YOUMZAIN (Sinndar), who just failed to catch Dylan Thomas (Ire) in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), will bid to improve upon his third-place effort in the 2007 Sheema, where he was narrowly outpointed for runner-up honors by Oracle West.

Gower Song figures to have two other distaffers join in her sortie against males. Godolphin's Prix de Diane (Fr-G1) queen WEST WIND (Machiavellian) has not raced since her solid second in the Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1) in September. Multiple South African Group 1 victress SUN CLASSIQUE (Fuji Kiseki) is two-for-two over the course, overcoming traffic issues to win the Cape Verdi S. and Balanchine S. this season.

Rounding out the probable field are Argentinean champion LATENCY (Slew Gin Fizz), multiple South African Group 1-placed SUSHISAN (Fuji Kiseki), English Group 3 scorer YELLOWSTONE (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) and multiple English stakes winner DANSANT (Dansili [GB]).

Diabolical could not have been more emphatic in his prep for the Golden Shaheen (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins) While the Americans appear to have their work cut out for them in the turf contests, they hold a much stronger hand in the Golden Shaheen, an about six-furlong scramble down the straight. BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel), successful in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1) and Sunshine Millions Sprint in his past two, spearheads a five-pronged American assault on the lucrative event. Ancient Title S. (G1) hero IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark), Ancient Title third BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic), Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) winner BUSHWACKER (Outflanker) and Oaklawn Park allowance/optional claiming romper ESPERAMOS (Stormy Atlantic) are also expected to fly the flag. Two other contenders in the provisional 15-horse field were previously based in the United States. Godolphin's DIABOLICAL (Artax), who captured the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2) last summer, rolled to a 4 1/2-length decision in the Mahab al Shimaal (UAE-G3) last time out. Grade 2 victor COBALT BLUE (Golden Missile), formerly with O'Neill, is now owned by Prince Saif Eldin Saud bin Abdulaziz and will make his first start for Satish Seemar in the Golden Shaheen.

In the U.A.E. Derby, MASSIVE DRAMA (Kafwain) will be making his first start since switching to the Dale Romans barn, while bidding to become the first American-based horse to land the about nine-furlong event. The winner of the Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) and a gallant third in the CashCall Futurity (G1) last season, the sophomore has finished third in the San Rafael S. (G3) and San Vicente S. (G2) this campaign for former conditioner Bob Baffert. The dark bay colt will be stepping up considerably in trip here. Moreover, Massive Drama will have to be at the top of his game to deal with the Southern Hemisphere-bred entrants, who are several months older and therefore have a developmental edge.

Royal Vintage (left) and Honour Devil will clash for the third straight time in the U.A.E. Derby (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins) The top threats in the U.A.E. Derby are the Mike de Kock-trained pair of ROYAL VINTAGE (Rich Man's Gold) and HONOUR DEVIL (Honour and Glory), who have traded decisions in the first two Dubai classics. The Argentinean-bred Honour Devil drew first blood in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), but the South African-bred Royal Vintage turned the tables with a hard-fought score in the Al Bastakiya last time out. De Kock rates Royal Vintage the better of the two in terms of raw ability, yet gives Honour Devil immense credit for being a tough customer who never goes down without a struggle. Both promise to put on another thrilling show on Saturday. Godolphin is responsible for three of the 12 forecast runners, but Etched (Forestry) is not among them. Instead, the royal blue battalion relies on Argentinean Group 2 hero MY INDY (Indygo Shiner), third to the de Kock duo in the Guineas; NUMAANY (A.P. Indy), an American Triple Crown nominee who was fifth in the Guineas and third in the Al Bastakiya; and the filly COCOA BEACH (Doneraile Court), a multiple Group 3 star in her native Chile who has romped in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas and U.A.E. Oaks.

Also notable in the early list are English Group 2 hero and American Triple Crown nominee STRIKE THE DEAL (Van Nistelrooy), who was fourth in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and multiple Brazilian Group 1 queen LIGHT GREEN (Blush Rambler).

Rosberg will attempt to fulfill his potential at last in the Godolphin Mile (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins) The Thoroughbred stakes action begins with the Godolphin Mile, which boasts 15 projected starters. J. Paul Reddam scored in last year's running with Spring at Last (Silver Deputy), and this time around, his colors will be sported by BARCOLA (Old Trieste). The three-time stakes scorer has not raced since early December, when he just went down to the grand old battler Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) by a head in the Queens County H. (G3). DIAMOND STRIPES (Notebook) also shipped in from the United States. Victorious in the Meadowlands Cup (G2) last fall, the gray is coming off a fourth in the Sunshine Millions Classic and may prefer the cutback in distance here. The eponymous stable, Godolphin, will send out ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive Quality) and BLACKAT BLACKITTEN (Inchinor [GB]), who fought out the finish of the Burj Nahar (UAE-G3) in that order. The Godolphin Mile could mark the Dubai debut of Chilean Group 1 star DON RENATO (Edgy Diplomat), and could serve as the coming-out party for the beautifully bred but fragile ROSBERG (A.P. Indy), a son of multiple highweight Bosra Sham (Woodman).

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