U.S. runners smell the Roses in Dubai

last season, starting a five-race win streak that included scores in the Whitney

H. (G1) and Kentucky Cup Classic H. (G2) before it was suddenly ended with a

second-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Some wondered if the

nearly black five-year-old had lost a step after he ran second in his 2005

bow, the Donn H. (G1).

All it took was one trans-continental flight to the Middle East for Roses in

May to prove his doubters wrong. Taking on the some of the best from around the

world, the Dale Romans trainee powered home an easy three-length winner on

Saturday in the richest race in the world, the $6 million Dubai World Cup

(UAE-G1), finishing the about 1 1/4-mile test in 2:02.

"I thought the only way we could get beat was if we had some bad luck,"

Romans said. "I wanted to take the race to them. I knew he had the stamina and

that no one else could catch him. I hope I can bring him back here next year."

The 12-horse field broke in a straight line, but it was the South African

entrant of Yard-Arm (Western Winter) who moved up to take the early lead under

Weichong Marwing with Chiquitin (Fitzcarraldo) not far behind. At this point,

jockey John Velazquez had Roses in May settled in just behind the top four, but

the pair wouldn't stay there for long. Roses in May tugged his way up to the

front, just to the outside of Yard-Arm, then took over the lead in the

backstretch.

As the field came into the final turn, Velazquez asked his mount for the

first time for some run and was answered with a surge of speed that quickly put

some space between him and his rivals. During the long stretch drive, only

Choctaw Nation (Louis Quatorze) seemed capable of challenging Roses in May,

moving up in the middle of the track to get within a length, but the eventual

winner just shifted into another gear and powered home to the wire.

Dynever (Dynaformer) once again found himself filling the second spot,

overtaking Choctaw Nation in the final yards to be 1 1/4 lengths clear of that

rival. Jack Sullivan (Belong to Me) rallied in the stretch but couldn't keep up,

finishing fourth another 4 3/4 lengths farther back, and was followed by

Congrats (A.P. Indy), Adjudi Mitsuo (Adjudicating), Lundy's Liability (Brz)

(Candy Stripes), King's Boy (Platini), Yard-Arm, Ruler's Court (Doneraile

Court), Chiquitin and Elmustanser (Machiavellian). Grand Hombre (Grand Slam) was

an early scratch.

Roses in May also scored in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Breeders' Cup H.

(G3) last year and now owns a 13-8-4-0 career mark with more than $5 million in

earnings.

Prior to the World Cup, Australia earned a first win in Dubai when ELVSTROEM

(Danehill) led the way home in the $2 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1). With

jockey Nash Rawiller in the saddle, the bay five-year-old quickly moved up to

set the pace in the mile and 193-yard turf test. U.S.-based Whilly (Ire) (Sri

Pekan) wasn't far behind but could never quite get the leader, who pulled away

to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Trained by Tony Vasil, Elvstroem stopped the clock in

1:50 2/5.

"He has done Australia proud," Vasil said. "To come all this way and win is a

thrill. It was a 17 1/2-hour trip and he lost a bit of weight, but he has been here a

week and has slowly picked up. If ever there was a horse to come all this way it

was him. He has a wonderful temperament."

Whilly held second by a length over last year's Duty Free winner, Right

Approach (Machiavellian). Next came Alkaadhem (Green Desert), Prince Kirk

(Selkirk), Alexander Goldrun (Gold Away [Ire]), Majors Cast (Victory Note), Moon

Dazzle (Kingmambo), Ribella (Revoque), Seihali (Alzao), Wolf Whistle (Badger

Land), Shakis (Machiavellian), Key of Destiny (Qui Danzig) and Sights on Gold

(Indian Ridge).

Elvstroem has scored in, among other things, last year's Caulfield Cup

(Aus-G1) as well as this season's C.F. Orr S. (Aus-G1). Vasil said he might look

at the Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) in England and Royal Ascot as possible next stops for

his charge.

Two distinct groups formed when the gates opened for the $2 million Dubai

Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), but it was SARATOGA COUNTY (Valid Expectations) who

separated himself from both packs to take the six-furlong race in 1:11 1/5.

Jockey Javier Castellano set the four-year-old down along the inside rail

with three others while the rest of the field moved toward the grandstand side. Pico

Central (Brz) (Spend a Buck) was in front for the early part of the straightaway

sprint, but Saratoga County slowly made his way to the front. Nearing the wire, Tropical Star (Ire) (Machiavellian) suddenly put on a

burst of speed, but it wasn't enough to catch the winner, who finished a length

clear of that rival.

Botanical (Seeking the Gold) was just a head back of the runner-up and

followed by Pico Central, Bear Fan (Pine Bluff), Estimraar (Holy Bull),

Sushi-Bar (Jato d'Agua [Brz]), My Cousin Matt (Matty G), Medal of Honor (El

Compinche), Conroy (Gone West) and National Icon (National Emblem)

"It doesn't get any better than this," trainer George Weaver said of the

biggest win of his career. "It is a big, big feeling."

Saratoga County captured the Gotham S. (G3) last year and adds this to

victories in the General George H. (G2) and Mr. Prospector H. (G3) so far this

season.

In the $2 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), PHOENIX REACH (Ire) (Alhaarth)

put in a last-to-first move under jockey Martin Dwyer to win the about 1

1/2-mile turf event by two lengths. The well-traveled five-year-old ran in the

back while Razkalla (Caerleon) set the pace. Rallying in the stretch, Phoenix

Reach passed all and finished the race in 2:30 2/5. Trained by Andrew Balding,

the bay adds this event to other international wins in the Hong Kong Vase

(HK-G1), Canadian International S. (Can-G1) and Gordon S. (Eng-G3).

Razkalla was a short head up on Collier Hill (Dr Devious [Ire]) at the wire

and Greys Inn (Zabeel), Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler's Wells), Prince Arch (Arch),

Omikron (Germany), Maraahel (Alzao), Tycoon (GB) (Sadler's Wells), Cherry Mix

(Linamix) and Fight Your Corner (Muhtarram) completed the order of finish.

Godolphin's Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) was the expected hero for the $2 million UAE

Derby (UAE-G2), but stablemate BLUES AND ROYALS (Honour and Glory) easily stole

the spotlight with a phenomenal 12-length win in the about 1 1/8-mile affair.

With Kerrin McEvoy holding the reins, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained bay ran in

sixth along the rail while Shamardal and jockey Frankie Dettori set a quick pace

on the front. That one couldn't keep it up, though, and faded in the stretch as

Durban Thunder (Brz) (Royal Academy) moved up to take over. In the meantime,

Blues and Royals was moving up along the inside and suddenly had the lead,

eventually drawing off for a sensational first stakes win in 1:50.

"We were surprised, we though Shamardal would be the better horse tonight,"

said Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager. "Shamardal has not been ruled

out (for the Kentucky Derby [G1]). You can forget what you saw tonight."

Crisford added that Blues and Royals as well as Parole Board (Dynaformer),

who could be transferred to Godolphin, might also make the Kentucky Derby.

Parole Board finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Marenostrum (Brz)

(Royal Academy). Following the top three were Ned Kelly (Goldkeeper), Kalibanos

(Dark Brown), Duque de Enghien (Spend One Dolar), Jaa Yez (Freequent), Durban

Thunder, Shamardal, Candidato Roy (Roy), Gypsy Johnny (Bachir) and Becrux (Glen

Jordan).

GRAND EMPORIUM (National Assembly) claimed a second win from the Dubai

International Racing Carnival when taking the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2)

by 1 1/4 lengths. Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum purchased the Mike

de Kock trainee only a few days ago and the bay five-year-old gave his new owner a

trip to the winner's circle after finishing the about mile test in 1:37 3/5.

Grand Emporium took the lead just 200 meters from the wire under Marwing and

adds this victory to his previous Racing Carnival victory in January's Maktoum

Challenge Round I S. (UAE-G3). He finished a good fourth in the Maktoum

Challenge Round II S. (UAE-G3) in February and also owns two Group 1 victories

from South Africa last season.

Qais (Seeking the Gold) crossed under the line in second, a half-length clear

of Tsigane (Fr) (Anabaa). They were followed by Burnt Ember (Smoke Glacken),

Little Jim (Roar), Emerald Beauty (Equalize), Kaneko (Pivotal), Cherry Pickings

(Miner's Mark), Opportunist (Ire) (Machiavellian), Martillo (Anabaa), Athinaois

(Second Empire [Ire]) and Keltos (Kendor).