Look Ahead: Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup 2010 will have the smallest field in its history with only 5 entrants, and this is the only year in which a 3 year old has not been entered. This field is also unique as it only has one male entrant against the four females.

The Dubai World Cup had its inaugural race in 2004, when Revenge was the winner. As I said earlier, at least 1 three year old has been entered, before this year; but only 1 three year old has managed to capture a win - the legendary War Machine who would later become the first Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year (2006).

A year later, in 2007, the first filly walked into the winner's circle Madam De Francais the 2006 Fillies Triple Crown Winner. Since then, fillies have dominated the World Cup. With Pegasus Song winning in 2008 and Broken Dream winning in 2009. Pegasus Song recorded the fastest time for the World Cup of 1:58.28 which is also the Track Record.

For 2010 we have 2 past winners of the Dubai World Cup - last year defender and Canadian Triple Crown Winner 5 Year Old Broken Dream (pictured right) trained by Long Island Hayburners and 2008 Winner, 3 time BC winner, 3 time Eclipse Champion 6 Year Old Pegasus Song for the Gorforwand Stables.

Also in the field is the 6 year old stallion Lazy Loper from the illustrious Bonai Farms who ran 2nd in the last two Dubai World Cups to Broken Dream and Pegasus Song. As a thre year old Lazy Loper won the United Arab Emirates Derby. Lazy Loper has had prolific career with a record of $12,732,500 43-22-11-5 placing him 9th for overall career earnings.

The youngest and most inexperienced in this race is DrivingMissDaisy a 4 year old filly from FDL Lodge who has trained past Dubai winner Madam De Francais. This filly has a career record of $810,100 28-4-6-3 and this season has a record of 3:0-1-0-2 bringing home $80,000.
Rounding out the field is the five year old filly Mystic River who is trained by Alydar Stables. She has a good career record of $3,487,500 32-13-6-5 with notable placings in the Hong Kong Mile last year (2nd) and as a 3 year old placed 2nd in the Breeder's Cup Distaff behind Pegasus Song.

For me the choice is clear on the winner - Pegasus Song. At 6 years old she is looking sharper than ever, and if she can keep it up for the year she will be well on her way for a Champion Older Female and perhaps Horse of the Year.

Earlier this year she won the Santa Anita Handicap with an amazing record time of 1:57.23 beating Lazy Loper by a length who came in with an impressive time of 1:57.40. These two six year olds are showing us what it really means to have a long peak and the skill of veteran racers.

Broken Dream has a record of 2:1-0-1 for the season, racing in two 9 furlong races with her best time clocked in at 1:46.47.

DrivingMissDaisy lost earlier this season to Mystic River in the 7 furlong Santa Monica Handicap. Mystic River found her 2nd win in as many starts in the 9 furlong Santa Margarita Handicap winning in a time of 1:46.03.

Matt's Prediction of Finish:

1st: Pegasus Song
2nd: Lazy Loper

3rd: Broken Dream
4th: Mystic River
5th: DrivingMissDaisy

This year will be a year of the veterans as 6 year olds Pegasus Song and Lazy Loper go 1-2 in the richest race of the year. Broken Dream will finish off the top 3, a game filly who perhaps is starting to lose her spark at 5.