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 Krypton Factor (Golden Shaheen, outside) spooks just prior to dumping his rider on Monday morning. |
As the international horses arrive in Dubai for the world's richest horse race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1), and its rich undercard, many were out Sunday and Monday morning to test out the Meydan racing surfaces. Monday morning, conditions were excellent with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70's, but it is expected to get considerably warmer later in the week. Post positions for the 9-race card will be drawn on Wednesday, and the races will be run Saturday evening (Saturday morning in North America), with the World Cup going to post at 9:40pm local time (1:40pm ET).
2012 Dubai World Cup entries
Friday Dubai World Cup workout photos
Wednesday and Thursday Dubai World Cup workout photos
Tuesday Dubai World Cup workout photos
2011 Dubai World Cup results and photos
Here are photos and comments for 22 horses that galloped Sunday or Monday. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.
  Royal Delta (World Cup) galloped about 1 1/4 miles on Monday. Last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) winner will attempt to become the first female winner of the Dubai World Cup. Leana Willaford, assistant to trainer Bill Mott, was in the saddle and said she was very pleased with Royal Delta's efforts. "She was very happy," Willaford reported. "She gets over this track very well - she just cruises over it." |
  Game On Dude (World Cup) worked 800m (about 4f) in 48.51 on Monday morning under exercise rider George Alvarez. Trainer Bob Baffert suffered a heart attack Sunday night and is recovering in a Dubai hospital following surgery for blocked arteries. His former assistant Tim Yakteen, overseeing the work, said, "Both of them (Game on Dude and The Factor) are ready. Bob wanted them to get a feel and stretch their legs a bit. All thumbs up." Regular rider Chantal Sutherland will be in the irons Saturday attempting to be the first female rider to win the World Cup.
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 Eishin Flash (World Cup) galloped 1 1/2 laps of the main track on Monday. Exercise rider Kazuo Fujiwara said of the World Cup entrant, "It was all down to the horse's connections, everything up to now has been done well, and the travel was smooth as well. He is in a good form." |
 Smart Falcon (World Cup) Smart Falcon jogged over the training track and the main track in preparation for the World Cup. Exercise rider Kenta Kotani said, "He was a little tense and was not relaxed when he worked on the main track yesterday, but he has been much improved mentally today. He eats up well and keeps his good condition." |
 Dark Shadow (Duty Free) trotted 1 lap before he cantered easily on the all-weather track, and then he went to the receiving barn, saddling barn and paddock for schooling for the raceday. |
 Presvis (Duty Free) galloped on the main track Sunday with trainer Luca Cumani watching. The trainer said of the defending champion in the Duty Free, "There are five days until the race and he is on course for his run. His prep races haven't been run to suit so hopefully he will get the pace he needs on Saturday and the gaps will come at the right time down the straight." |
 Wigmore Hall (Duty Free) has been at Meydan since February 29 and made his final prep in the Jebel Hatta (G1) finishing 6th. Exercise rider Gillian Dolman said, "He has been out here a while and needed the run last time out. He was carrying a bit more condition and was heavier going in to the Jebel Hatta but we have seen big improvement in him since then and he needed the run to get here." |
 Dubawi Gold (Duty Free) comes to the Duty Free off a 10th place effort in the Jebel Hatta (G1). On Monday he galloped 1800m (about 1 1/8 miles) under jockey Pat Dobbs, who said, "It was an easy gallop for him. He quickened up towards the end and he feels good. It's hard to judge when horses work on their own but he is moving well, which is the main thing." |
 Hitchens (Golden Shaheen) was out on the main track with exercise rider Neil Brown aboard. Brown said, "He has taken well to it out here and arrived back on January 7th. He is a good horse to take travelling and has improved while he has been here. He likes the all-weather surface and the sun on his back. He just cantered around the track this morning and will stretch his legs on Thursday." |
 The Factor (Golden Shaheen) breezed 800m (4f) Monday in preparation for the Golden Shaheen, minutes after stablemate Game on Dude returned from his workout. Exercise rider George Alvarez said, "The Factor handled the track great." |
 Ortensia (Al Quoz Sprint) represents Australia in the Al Quoz Sprint. Trainer Paul Messara said, "If Ortensia travels well I think she will definitely be a player in the race. If she brings her best she'll be right in the finish. She's pretty much ready to go and (racing) first-up in a 1000-metre straight race is perfect for her. I think she is a great short-course horse." Jockey Craig Williams gets the call on Saturday. |
 Invincible Ash (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped on the main track under jockey Damien Melia. James Heavey, assistant to trainer Mick Halford said of the Al Quoz Sprint entrant, "She has been in Dubai since December and she thrives here. The more sun you can get on her back and the more racing you can get into her, the better she is. She has come out of her Super Saturday win very well and we are looking forward to the big night. She was beaten just three short-heads when fourth in this race last year and I'd say she's going better now." |
 Margot Did (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped 1 lap of the main track under exercuse rider Bianca Hopkins in preparation for the Al Quoz Sprint. Hopkins said, "She was a bit quiet before she ran here (she was 8th in the Meydan Sprint on March 10) and that seems to have woken her up. She had an easy canter today and feels well. She'll do a bit more when she breezes on Wednesday." |
 Nocturnal Affair (Al Quoz Sprint) was out for some light work on the main track. Exercise rider Emma Carroll said of the Al Quoz Sprint entrant, "He's in great form and he looks a picture, doesn't he? He was probably a bit unlucky in the race a few weeks ago but he is improving and with a bit more luck in running he'll be thereabouts on Saturday," |
 Sole Power (Al Quoz Sprint) comes to the Al Quoz off a narrow defeat in the Meydan Sprint, the major local prep for the race. Exercise rider David Mason said, "He always needs a run to get back to his best after a break and that effort after a few months off was very good for him. Hopefully he can improve a little on that. We think he can." |
 A Shin Virgo (Al Quoz Sprint) is the only female horse from Japan at the World Cup meeting, and goes in the Al Quoz Sprint. She cantered on the main track and schooled in the starting gate. Exercise rider Kazuki Takada said, "There was no hitch with the starting gate. She looked settled in the gate and did not have any problem. She's already regained the weight she's lost coming here and her condition is getting better each day." |
 Kasbah Bliss (Dubai Gold Cup) galloped on the main track for trainer Francois Doumen, who sends him to the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday. Doumen said, "He went progressively faster down the back straight, breezed through the bend and showed good acceleration in the straight to finish on the bit. The horse hadn't run for five months when he ran here (in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy). We tried to find a balance between making him work and keeping him fresh, and he may have been short of preparation. As it happened, he had no chance tactically. The pace was very slow and the jockey had to ask for a big blow at the wrong time. We hope there is a good pace in Saturday." |
 Makani Bisty (Dubai Gold Cup) goes in the Dubai Gold Cup for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who said, "I felt very relieved to see their good conditions. I think it is hard for horses to keep the best condition when they travel abroad, but they handled the long flight well and have not lost any weight. They are maintaining the same good form at home." |
 Cirrus des Aigles (Sheema Classic) is expected to be one of the favorites in the Golden Shaheen. He was beaten in the Prix Hotel Meydan (over Polytrack at Chantilly) and his trainer Corrine Barande-Barbe immediately said she would run him on turf at Meydan. "He was not as explosive (on synthetic) as he is on turf." |
 Mickdaam (UAE Derby) goes in the UAE Derby for trainer Mike de Kock, who is looking for his 6th win in the race. De Kock said, "Considering he had only won a maiden when he arrived and was rated in the 80s he has had a great season and has improved from day one. We knew the step up in trip for the Al Bastakiya would suit him and he did it well. It would be nice to think there is more improvement to come and, in reality, he needs to raise his game again as some of his rivals have been contesting good Group races throughout their careers." |
 Balada Sale (UAE Derby) discovered the track for the first time Monday morning and her regular work rider said of the UAE Derby entrant, "We just let her stretch her legs. So we just went for a slow canter. Everything is good." |
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