Godolphin’s Ombudsman was far and away the class of the field in Saturday’s $5 million Dubai Turf (G1), and even the rain during the week couldn’t dampen his acceleration.

Despite regional war and torrential rain this week, Meydan will stage the 30th Dubai World Cup extravaganza on Saturday.

Saturday’s $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) was supposed to be all about Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior, but the 1-5 favorite was mugged on the line by Japan’s Soul Rush.

The Dubai World Cup (G1) anchors a quartet of Breeders' Cup Challenge races at Meydan Saturday, and earlier on the card, the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby concludes with the UAE Derby (G2).

Defending champion Ushba Tesoro will meet 11 challengers in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan.

Saturday’s $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) nearly produced a triple dead-heat, as frontrunning Panthalassa, defending champion Lord North, and Vin de Garde flashed across the wire abreast.

Three Group 1 races and a Group 2, with prizemoney ranging from $1 million to $6 million, highlight a strong turf card on Dubai World Cup Day.