Front-running Magnitude rocks Dubai World Cup

One year after his Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams were dashed by injury, Magnitude was on the top of the world after upsetting Forever Young in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1). Forever Young was succumbing as the odds-on favorite here for the second straight year, although he finished nearer in second this time. 

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Magnitude brought a progressive profile reminiscent of their Hall of Famer Gun Runner. But even Gun Runner had to play second fiddle in the 2017 World Cup to Arrogate. Magnitude reached the pinnacle that had eluded Gun Runner, fueling hopes that he can continue the momentum back home.

Forever Young was expected to maintain his momentum at Meydan, fresh off a repeat victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). The Japanese champion had not lost since his third-place effort here a year ago to Hit Show. Once again, the lucrative Mideast double proved a shade beyond him.

Magnitude was initially aiming for the Saudi Cup himself, until spiking a fever that forced him to stay home. The Not This Time colt instead prepped in the Feb. 28 Razorback H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park, where he rolled by 3 3/4 lengths. The change in schedule might have redounded to his benefit.

Jockey Jose Ortiz, who also guided Magnitude to a score over Hit Show in last November’s Clark (G2) at Churchill Downs, made the trek to stick with him in Dubai. Magnitude moved forward from the Clark, while Hit Show regressed to fifth in his World Cup title defense.

The 7-2 second choice stateside, Magnitude flashed speed to capitalize on his rail draw. Forever Young was well placed in a tracking second, but he could not quicken on a dime rounding the far turn.

Magnitude gave him the slip at exactly the right time and poached a decisive advantage into the stretch. Despite hopping back onto his left lead late, Magnitude always appeared to be doing enough to keep Forever Young at bay.

“What an incredible win,” said Asmussen, who also lifted the World Cup in 2008 with Hall of Famer Curlin. “We just wanted to let him to run his race from point A to point B. 

“The horse is running with a lot of confidence, and that gave us confidence. It unfolded just how we wanted it to.”

“We left all the options open,” Ortiz said regarding tactics. “If he jumps well, we can go to the lead, if somebody jumps better than him, just sit off, maybe behind the speed. He didn't have a running start, but he jumped well, and I knew it was time to go. I asked him to run, and he was there for me.”

Forever Young kept on grimly to reduce the margin to one length. Although he was denied in his quest to become the world’s all-time leading earner, Forever Young did inch closer to current record-holder Romantic Warrior. His $2.4 million payday for second increased his bankroll past $31.7 million, but Romantic Warrior promises to add to his $32.4 million total in the April 26 QEII Cup (G1) at Sha Tin.

Another 2 3/4 lengths back in third came Meydaan, who outdueled Imperial Emperor by a head. Hit Show was a one-paced fifth, followed by fellow Wathnan colorbearer Tumbarumba, Heart of Honor, Tap Leader, and Walk of Stars.

Magnitude’s biggest career win advanced his record to 13-7-2-1, and the $6.96 million winner’s check boosted his bankroll to $8,544,365. On the Road to the Kentucky Derby over the winter of 2024-25 at Fair Grounds, he was second in the Gun Runner S. and sixth in the Lecomte (G3) before a breakout performance in the Risen Star (G2). 

Just when Magnitude threatened to become a major player, he was knocked off the Derby trail. The bay resurfaced with a 9 1/2-length romp in last summer’s Iowa Derby, but he faded to a remote third behind Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Travers (G1). Magnitude turned the page by finishing an eye-catching second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), and he issued his statement of intent by defeating older horses in the Clark.

Gun Runner had a similar trajectory at three, without the injury holiday, and he crowned his 2017 Horse of the Year campaign in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). With the Dubai World Cup serving as a “Win and You’re In” for the Classic, Magnitude has already stamped his ticket for Oct. 31 at Keeneland. 

Bred by Ron Stolich in Kentucky, Magnitude was sold for $450,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. His dam, Rockadelic, is a daughter of Bernardini and multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Octave.