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HANDICAPPING INSIGHTS MARCH 28, 2008 by Dick Powell If you like wide-open, competitive races with big fields, Saturday's six races from Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai should fit the bill. Twenty-six Group or Grade 1 winners are entered for the world's richest day of horse racing, and besides being a spectacle to watch, they should challenge both sides of your handicapping brain. Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) Americans look tough here, but we'll go with a former American runner now stabled in Dubai. ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive Quality) was a sharp winner last out beating Asiatic Boy (Not for Sale) among others. His form in the United States was good and seems to have improved greatly here. Has enough gate speed to stalk the pace from post 13. DIAMOND STRIPES (Notebook) ships in for Richard Dutrow and will need clever handling from Edgar Prado while in behind horses. BARCOLA (Old Trieste) is a speedball breaking from the far outside with Garrett Gomez and should be on the lead as long as he can. BLACKAT BLACKITTEN (Inchinor [GB]) has been a star during the Carnival and draws well with Frankie Dettori.
UAE Derby (UAE-G2) Mike de Kock looks to have a strong hand in here with Southern Hemisphere stars that seem to have an edge. HONOUR DEVIL (Honour and Glory) was a spectacular winner here two starts back then just missed last out in a game effort. ROYAL VINTAGE (Rich Man's Gold) has done little wrong in four career starts and should have no trouble with the distance. NUMAANY (A.P. Indy) ran well last out when he might have moved too early and draws well today. MASSIVE DRAMA (Kafwain) has strong early speed and could be dangerous with Gomez.
Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) DIABOLICAL (Artax) was no match for Asiatic Boy when he stumbled badly at the start then made amends with a romping win last out in fast time. He draws well with Dettori who won this race last year. IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark) never seems to run a bad race and David Flores has lots of experience over here. BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) rallied strong to win his last two going away with Prado aboard. BUSHWACKER (Outflanker) could be the one to catch if he breaks running.
Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) One of the hardest races ever to handicap. Five females take on 11 males with form from all over the world to try to gauge. FLORAL PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) has terrific form in Hong Kong against some of the best international stars. Second last out behind Viva Pataca (Marju) going 10 furlongs, two starts back he was second to Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan), who came back to win another Group 1. Distance and post should suit and Tony Cruz is one of the world's best trainers. SEACHANGE (Cape Cross [Ire]) gunned to the front briefly from post 16 and held on gamely in the stretch before weakening in the Jebel Hatta S. (UAE-G2) last out. She drops seven pounds and draws well for a shot at all the money at juicy odds. DARJINA (Zamindar) has handled better males before and will be very tough if ready. FINSCEAL BEO (Mr. Greeley) started the year out great last year but then faded -- should fire her best shot when fresh.
Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) Might be as tough to handicap as the Duty Free. Sixteen evenly matched horses going about 1 1/2 miles without a lot of pace in the race. Trying to project who gets what trip is virtually impossible as much of the race will be determined on the first turn. Based purely on form, I have to go with VIVA PATACA (Marju) who is every bit as good as last year's winner Vengeance of Rain. His prep for this was excellent and the only negative is post 12 in what appears to be a paceless race. BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) drew perfectly and should like the turf course here. Ramon Dominguez can keep him covered up for as long as he wants. SUN CLASSIQUE (Fuji Kiseki) was a spectacular winner last out when she made up four lengths in 100 yards. She draws well and gets in light. YOUMZAIN (Sinndar) flew home to just miss in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and flew home to get third in this race last year.
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) CURLIN (Smart Strike) is the world's best horse and he gets a chance to prove it before an international audience. His prep here was brilliant and his outside post shouldn't hurt since it will enable Robby Albarado to keep from getting shuffled back behind horses. ASIATIC BOY did not fire his best shot last out but look for him to be forwardly placed where he does his best running. There should be a time in the deep stretch where he has the lead and Curlin will be breathing down his neck. VERMILION (El Condor Pasa) was fourth in this race last year but a much better horse since then. He's won four straight Grade 1 races in Japan with Yutake Take. A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) is a true grinder that should get a piece of the purse with Dominguez aboard.
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