Team U.S.A. in good spirits in Dubai

Two-time American champion Royal Delta galloped about 1 3/8 miles on Meydan's

Tapeta track Friday, one day ahead of her historic bid in the Group 1 Dubai

World Cup. The Bill Mott mare, who hopes to become the first female to win the

world's richest race, then went to the starting gate for a schooling

session.

"We're pleased," Mott said. "Everything has gone very smoothly with

her here."

The Hall of Fame trainer said that he has discussed race strategy with Hall

of Fame jockey Mike Smith. While he declined to share what they are planning, it

is widely speculated that Royal Delta will use her speed out of post 8 to gain a prominent early position.

Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom eagerly galloped about 1 5/8 miles

on the Tapeta.

"He was on his toes again today," trainer Graham Motion said of the

World Cup contender. "I couldn't be happier with him."

Motion added that his assistant and exercise rider Alice Clapham

"has been very pleased with how he handles this track."

Although the Kentucky-bred has been based in the United States for his entire

career up to this point, Animal Kingdom has been listed as representing

Australia in the official race program. That designation is the result of new

co-owner Arrowfield Stud, which will stand Animal Kingdom in Australia later

this year.

Donegal Racing's Dullahan galloped about 1 1/2 miles on the

Tapeta and visited the starting gate for a schooling session, during which the

World Cup hopeful was well mannered.

Assistant trainer and exercise rider Tammy Fox said

the striking chestnut has been getting stronger in his work this week and is

coming into Saturday's race just the way trainer Dale Romans feels will lead to

his best effort.

"I'm very pleased with him. He's peaking at the right time," Fox.

Fox has also been riding Group 1 Dubai Duty Free contender Little Mike in his

morning work while he has been in Dubai during the past month. She mentioned

that the multiple Grade 1 winner has been pulling on her the past several days,

wanting to go faster and farther.

"He's been strong, but I like that," Fox said. "I'm very happy with the way

he's coming into this race."

Like his stablemate Dullahan, Fox said Little Mike is peaking at the right

time and should be at his best on Saturday.

After a busy day on Thursday which included a starting gate schooling

session, American champion sprinter Trinniberg stayed in the quiet quarantine

barn area on Friday for light jogging and cantering in advance of Saturday's

Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

"He's just wonderful," trainer Shivananda Parbhoo said. "He's even stronger

and more aggressive now (than he typically is before races). He is very excited.

All we need is for him to get a good start. If he gets a good break, then he can

do the rest."

Private Zone's assistant trainer Leandro Mora likewise mentioned the break as

key to his chances in the Golden Shaheen.

"We're hoping for a good, clean break," said the longtime assistant to

trainer Doug O'Neill, who remained behind in the United States to tend to his

California-based stable. 

"Once we get that, hopefully someone else will take the (early) lead and

we'll be next to that one. If everything goes well, he'll show a speed and let

one pass him a little bit and stay right off that one.

"Martin (jockey Pedroza) has an idea of how to ride the race," he continued. 

"This is the kind of horse that once he passes all the horses, he thinks he's

done. So he'll sort of wait for the others and that's how we got beat the last

two or three times. His move has to me times just right."

Mora said the horse, who did his usual light gallop Friday morning, will walk

in the quarantine area Saturday morning.

More also commented on the stable's Group 2 U.A.E. Derby runner, He's Had

Enough.

"He's got one way to run -- the last quarter is his," Mora said. "The 12-post

might help us a little bit because everyone else will be running and we can take

back to get good position. But here we are racing against a lot of horses that

have raced here and raced in Europe, so they may have the same idea."

Mora said he will tack-walk He's Had Enough in the stable area and then let

him rest up for the evening.

The Paddy Gallagher-trained Dice Flavor galloped and then stood in the

starting gate at Meydan Friday morning as his preparations continued for the

U.A.E. Derby.

"Getting close to a race we like to stand him," the Southern California-based

conditioner said. "He galloped this morning and seemed to canter fine. He stood

nice in the gate and he usually does.  

"We'll just do something light with him (Saturday) morning in the stable

area," he added.  "It's a long wait until race time, but it's a nice wait."

Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint runner Varsity followed the same routine he has during

the week, galloping about 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta.

"He did just great," said Christophe Lorieul, assistant trainer to Christophe

Clement. "It was a normal, easy day and he is ready."

A former champion apprentice jockey, trainer Wesley Ward took matters into

his own hands at Meydan on Friday morning. The conditioner hopped aboard Great

Attack and jogged him a metric mile at approximately 6 a.m. in preparation for

the Al Quoz Sprint.

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