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Curlin takes to training track on World Cup eve
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Curlin takes in the rapidly expanding Dubai skyline
(Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins) |
Calling an audible, assistant trainer Scott Blasi decided to take Horse of
the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) to the Nad al Sheba training track on Friday,
instead of the main track, in hopes of providing a more peaceful atmosphere for
the colt the day before the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1).
"I just decided that we're ready and what's done is done, and that a quiet
day would be good for the horse," Blasi said. "My job is to get him to the race
as best as we can. We just took him out to give him a little exercise and keep
him happy."
Curlin sallied forth around 6:40 a.m. (local time) and galloped one mile on
the training track, where there were fewer horses training and far fewer members
of the media gathered.
Jockey Robby Albarado arrived in Dubai on Thursday night and trainer Steve
Asmussen was due in on Friday evening, Blasi said.
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World Cup rival A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) galloped once around Nad al Sheba on
Friday morning, appearing eager but contained, with exercise rider Eddie King
aboard.
"He seems like he's pretty relaxed now," said Ginny De Pasquale, assistant to
trainer Todd Pletcher.
Earlier in the week, A. P. Arrow, who she has described as having a "Type A
personality," had been very aggressive, returning from his gallops with sweat
lathered on his neck.
After drawing the outside post in the field of 13, A. P. Arrow, a confirmed
stretch runner, can be expected to rate off the pace and then rally.
"Being on the outside like that, there's no shot whatsoever of getting boxed
in," De Pasquale said. "We ought to have a pretty clean trip, but I don't want
to be 13 wide, either."
Also on the eve of the World Cup, Japanese champion VERMILION (El Condor Pasa)
cantered lightly over the dirt track. Exercise rider Shinji Furukawa piloted the
dark bay, whose every move was carefully supervised by trainer Sei Ishizaka.
"The horse's condition is all set for tomorrow's race both mentally and
physically," Furukawa commented. "Since jockey Yutaka Take has been on him for
the gallop on Wednesday, the horse gets more power and seems to know the race is
coming shortly. He will just walk around the stable area tomorrow morning, but
depending on his condition, we may walk him over the dirt track to get him more
acquainted with it."
Jockey Frankie Dettori is hopeful that Godolphin can score on the big night
with Dubai International Racing Carnival star JALIL (Storm Cat).
"Curlin is the champ, but he has had to travel, whereas we are playing at
home," Dettori said. "Jalil has always had lots of potential, and he seems to
love this surface and has just got better and better with every race, so, who
knows, maybe we can pull off a shock win."
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Well Armed has pleased trainer Eoin Harty
(Dubai Racing Club) |
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor is slightly more apprehensive about their second
runner, HAPPY BOY (Ski Champ), who was purchased following his astounding
victory in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (UAE-G3) back in January."He has not had the ideal preparation as he picked up a leg infection and
missed some work, so, though he has been back in exercise for a while, the race
may come too soon," bin Suroor said.
In contrast, horseman Eoin Harty believes that WELL ARMED (Tiznow) is ready
for the challenge of facing Curlin in the world's richest race.
"I'm a legitimate contender," Harty said. "Whether I'm good enough to beat
the best horse in the world right now, I don't know. But I believe we're good
enough to compete and give a very good account of myself. The horse is training
very well. He's sound and he's happy and he's fit. He'll get the trip. There's
not much more that I can do."
GREAT HUNTER (Aptitude) is an outsider in the World Cup based on his recent
form, but Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, has seen dramatic
improvement since his arrival in Dubai. The four-year-old colt, who has failed
to sparkle on the synthetic surfaces in Southern California, has flourished on
the dirt surface at Nad al Sheba.
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"The way this horse is training here, mentally wise, the chances are very
good, but we already know there is a huge obstacle here to get over," Mora said.
"From training in California to here, this horse has moved, number-wise, from a
10 to a 20. Instead of seeing mediocre results, we have seen very good results
in training. That's why I'm very optimistic that he's going to run good."
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Better Talk Now is escorted by trainer Graham Motion
(Dubai Racing Club) |
In other Dubai developments on Friday, Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) favorite
VIVA PATACA (Marju) was given a sharper piece of work than is usual so close to
a big race. Partnered by big race rider Darren Beadman, the Hong Kong sensation
covered about six furlongs in 1:26, a move that trainer John Moore described as
a "blow-the-cobwebs-away" exercise.
"We went quicker this morning because his bodyweight is now up to scratch,"
Moore said. "Darren said he felt even better going the opposite way round to Sha
Tin (traveling left-handed instead of right-handed). I'm not surprised at that
because he won five races going left-handed when he was trained in England."
Sheema threat BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) galloped about 1 1/2 miles on the
turf, and conditioner Graham Motion pronounced him ready to go.
"We've pretty much done the same thing with him that we did before he won the
Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Lone Star Park (in 2004)," Motion said. "We've given
him strong gallops rather than breeze here, and he's handled everything great."
Japan's two contenders for the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1), VODKA (Tanino
Gimlet) and ADMIRE AURA (Agnes Tachyon), also limbered up on Friday, in company
with U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) entrant IIDE KENSHIN (Thunder Gulch). The trio
stretched their legs on the dirt.
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Vodka's trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii, who has already enjoyed overseas
Group/Grade 1 victories in Hong Kong, Australia, and the United States, was very
happy with his horse's work.
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Vodka, pictured exercising last week, has now regained the weight she lost in shipping
(Dubai Racing Club/Monica Pinheiro) |
"She was shying and was not acquainted with the surroundings when she
galloped on the turf earlier this week, so I decided to make her work over the
dirt course with other two Japanese runners this morning," Sumii revealed. "I
think she was doing great. She seemed to listen to the rider and answered him
very well.
"With the half-gallop this morning, she should be set for the big race
mentally. She controls the quantity of her feed by herself and this is a good
sign for her. Actually she lost some weight after she arrived, but she recovered
and regained the weight during her stay in Dubai. She is in a very good form at
this moment.
"She should perform well from any position," he added. "The left-handed
course with its long stretch should suit her. I think she is all set for the
race and I look forward to seeing her race tomorrow."
Admire Aura is instilling plenty of confidence in trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda,
who aims for back-to-back wins in this race following Admire Moon's victory last
year.
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"He was galloping with other two Japanese horses but my horse does not worry
how many horses he gallops with," Matsuda said. "To be honest, he is in the best
condition ever and is very relaxed all the time. He went to the parade ring to
get familiarized with it and he was so well and settled. You will find out
tomorrow how great this horse is."
American expatriate COBALT BLUE (Golden Missile), now based in Dubai with
Satish Seemar, blew out two furlongs for Saturday's Dubai Golden Shaheen
(UAE-G1). Seemar is hopeful that the four-year-old chestnut can turn in a strong
effort despite facing setbacks.
"He's improved since he's been here, in the time we've had," Seemar said. "I
don't want to make excuses, but I do wish we'd had another 10 days, just to get
to know the horse better. His last work was pleasing, but ideally you want to
see two good works.
"It's a tough race, the two American horses, IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark) and
BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel), will be hard to beat. Our draw (post 1) is OK,
although four or five would have been better."
Idiot Proof brought smiles to trainer Clifford Sise Jr. and exercise rider
Iggy Puglisi following his light exercise on Friday.
"He was feeling good," Puglisi said while still aboard the handsome bay. "He
wanted to do more."
"He looks and acts better here than he does in California," said Sise, who
has not previously started a runner in Dubai. "I feel really good about the
race. Coming here, you just don't know what to expect. But after he's gotten
here, he's really been feeling good. We took him out yesterday afternoon and he
was bucking and squealing."
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Barbecue Eddie is seeking his first career stakes victory after four straight placed efforts
(Dubai Racing Club) |
Trainer Brian Koriner reported on Friday morning that he "couldn't be more
happy with" how BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic) has fared following his arrival
in Dubai. The four-year-old seems to be approaching the about six-furlong dash
in outstanding condition and all indications are that he loves the Nad al Sheba
surface."He's hitting the ground great," Koriner said after Barbecue Eddie galloped
on Friday. "He worked the other day in :35.60 (for three furlongs) and he
loped out strong."
Conditioner Bill Currin took his sprint hope BUSHWACKER (Outflanker) to the
paddock for a school, and is hopeful of a good showing from his six-year-old.
"I hope he'll jump from the gate, get a lead and relax in front -- that way
he has a chance," Currin said as he watched his charge from the center of the
paddock. "He has speed, he's the fastest horse I've ever trained, and he's been
doing well in Dubai. He likes it over here."
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