Premium Tap works for World Cup; Lava Man gears up for Duty Free

Premium Tap works for World Cup; Lava Man gears up for Duty

Free

Lava Man will take on the world in the Duty Free (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com) Multiple Grade 1 hero PREMIUM TAP (Pleasant Tap) worked about six furlongs at King Abdul Aziz Racecourse in Janadriyah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, in his last major tune-up for the March 31 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). With jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard, the five-year-old bay completed his move in an estimated 1:15. "All thumbs were up," said trainer John Kimmel, who was on the scene for the drill. "He worked very well and everything seems to be on target." Kimmel said that Premium Tap's time was an approximation because the Saudi track is marked in meters, not furlongs. "He looks good, his weight is great and his soundness is very good," he added. Premium Tap is coming off an impressive score in the about 1 1/2-mile Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, Saudi Arabia's most prestigious contest. Last year, he captured the Woodward S. (G1) and romped by 7 1/4 lengths in the Clark H. (G1). In between those victories, he finished third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to Horse of the Year INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes), who is also targeting the 1 1/4-mile World Cup. Plans call for Premium Tap to travel to Dubai around March 28. In addition to galloping up to the race, he could also visit the starting gate at Nad al Sheba. On the other side of the globe in California, a bevy of Dubai-bound contenders posted Sunday works. Multiple Grade 1 king LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) drilled five furlongs over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track in 1:01 1/5. The Doug O'Neill star, who landed his second straight Santa Anita H. (G1) in his latest outing, will switch to the turf for the about 1 1/8-mile Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1), one of several major contests on the World Cup undercard.

"He worked awesome," O'Neill said. "We need to pass the test tomorrow morning

(Monday) and we're in good shape. He would ship on Tuesday."

The dark bay gelding is accomplished on the lawn as well, having taken the

Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) last June and the Sunshine Millions Turf in

his 2007 bow.

Two other O'Neill trainees worked for likely Dubai engagements.

Grade 2 winner HARVARD AVENUE (You and I) zipped in :59 4/5 in advance of the

Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), a six-furlong dash down the straight at Nad al

Sheba. Successful in the El Conejo H. (G3) on New Year's Day, the gelding will

try to rebound from an eighth in the San Carlos H. (G2).

Malibu S. (G1) runner-up SPRING AT LAST (Silver Deputy) sizzled in :59 1/5 as

he gears up for the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2). The dark bay is exiting a fifth

behind Lava Man in the Big 'Cap.

Also at Hollywood, last-out Palos Verdes H. (G2) hero FRIENDLY ISLAND (Crafty

Friend) clocked 1:00 4/5 for Todd Pletcher. The runner-up in the Breeders' Cup

Sprint (G1) is aiming for the Golden Shaheen.

On the firm turf at Santa Anita, recent San Luis Obispo H. (G2) king OBRIGADO

(Fr) (Enrique) traveled seven furlongs in 1:31 4/5. The Neil Drysdale charge is

possible for the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), contested at about 1 1/2 grassy miles.

At Palm Meadows in Florida, Chilean Horse of the Year and U.S. Grade 1 winner HOST (Chi) (Hussonet),

a Duty Free candidate, breezed five panels in 1:03 on the fast track. The

Pletcher trainee was a terrific runner-up in the Canadian Turf H. (G3) in his

latest effort, roaring from far back to fall just a head short at the wire.

Prior to that, Host had been unraced since his fourth-place performance in last

year's Duty Free.

Pletcher sent out

three classy campaigners for works at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday.

Multiple Grade 1 victor ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike), also prepping for the

Duty Free, exercised five-eighths in 1:01 3/5 on the fast track. The winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1),

United Nations S. (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) last

season, the chestnut finished third in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). He returned

to action with a course record-setting allowance tally in late February at Gulfstream Park. English Channel is preparing for the Duty Free.

Carter H. (G1) winner BISHOP COURT HILL (Holy Bull) sizzled in a

bullet :59, best of 12 works at the distance. Successful in

the Paumonok H. last time out, the talented sprinter is targeting the Golden

Shaheen.

HONEY RYDER (Lasting Approval), another multiple Grade 1 scorer, clocked

1:02. The gray mare garnered four stakes in 2006, capped by a photo-finish

decision in the Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1), and ended the year with a

third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). In her 2007 debut, Honey

Ryder tackled males in the Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Turf S. (G1) and just

missed by a neck. That stellar effort earned her another try against males in

the Sheema Classic.