Americans set to ship to Dubai

IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark) and MASSIVE DRAMA (Kafwain), part of a 14-strong

American contingent set to fly from the United States to Dubai on Tuesday, completed their

final preparations for the March 29 World Cup card Saturday. Idiot Proof, aiming

for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), worked an easy six furlongs in 1:15 at Santa

Anita for trainer Clifford Sise, Jr. The work was the 12th fastest of 15 at the

distance.

Zayat Stables's Massive Drama, pointing for the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), went

six furlongs in 1:15.60 at Gulfstream Park for new trainer Dale Romans. The

time was third fastest of five at the distance.

"He finished strong and did

just what we wanted him to do," said Romans, who is taking over training duties

from Bob Baffert. "We wanted to get him one good tightener before we ship."

Romans won the 2005 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) with Roses in May. Massive Drama is one of seven horses slated to fly out of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood

International Airport in Florida on Tuesday evening, while an equal number have

been booked for a flight leaving Los Angeles International Airport that

afternoon, according to shipping company Mersant International Ltd. Both

flights are due to stop for refueling at Stansted Airport in England before

reaching Dubai on Wednesday night.

Also on the Florida flight will be World

Cup hopeful A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy); Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) contender

BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man); Shaheen hopefuls BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) and

ESPERAMOS (Stormy Atlantic); and Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) hopefuls DIAMOND

STRIPES (Notebook) and BARCOLA (Old Trieste).

Leaving from California will be Dubai

World Cup contenders WELL ARMED (Tiznow) and GREAT HUNTER (Aptitude);

speedsters BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic) and BUSHWACKER (Outflanker), both

candidates for the Dubai Golden Shaheen; and SPRING HOUSE (Chester House), who

is pointing to the Sheema Classic.

NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]) also has a

reservation on the California flight, but trainer Doug O'Neill has indicated

that he is not inclined to send the four-year-old colt for the Godolphin Mile,

for which he has been invited. O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam, who also owns

Great Hunter and Barcola, are hoping for a late invitation to the Dubai Duty

Free (UAE-G1).