Roses in May, Frankel prepare for Dubai World Cup

Roses in May is the likely favorite for Saturday's Dubai World Cup  (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's ROSES IN MAY (Devil His Due) covered 1,000 meters,

approximately five furlongs, in 1:01 4/5 under assistant trainer Liz Gray Monday

night in preparation for the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) at Nad al Sheba

racecourse on Saturday.

"That was slow for him," trainer Dale Romans said, who indicated he did not

want a rapid workout for the dark bay. "He can go in :58 if he wants to. He got

to see everything under the lights and he looked pretty happy."

Roses in May comes off a second-place outing to Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) in

the Donn H. (G1) at Gulfstream Park on February 5. The five-year-old has been

pointing toward the 2,000-meter race, almost 1 1/4-miles, since his runner-up

finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to eventual Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Awesome Again).

"I didn't squeeze the lemon tight enough to win the Donn," Romans said. "But

he's at his best now. I really didn't want to lay it all on the line in his

first race back, especially prepping for a $6 million race."

Trainer Bobby Frankel's shedrow of horses arrived Tuesday morning in Dubai

after a mechanical problem delayed his two entrants from arriving at the originally scheduled time of Monday evening. Frankel conditions

multiple Grade 2 winner LUNDY'S LIABILITY (Brz) (Candy Stripes), who captured

last year's U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and is entered for Saturday's World Cup, and Group 1 winner MARENOSTRUM (Brz) (Royal Academy), who will

run in the U.A.E. Derby.

"They just got here, but they look good," assistant Jose Cuevas said after observing the pair at the airport.

Due to quarantine rules, Lundy's Liability and Marenostrum will not be

allowed to set foot on the track until Thursday. Both horses will be galloped

before race day, but no workouts are planed for the duo.