Dubai World Cup Carnival- Friday 2/10
Feb 7, 2023 7:44:01 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Feb 7, 2023 7:44:01 GMT -5
GII Blue Point Sprint (5F turf), GIII UAE 2000 Guineas (mile dirt), and a Listed 7F turf event are the highlights.
Five cards down, five to go. Most runners have had a race or two over the course(s). Watched all the replays. Let's go.
MEY R1 (9:00am ET)- 1m2f (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 90-109)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832922
Many of these ran in the Zabeel Turf two weeks ago, the day that featured rain, wind, and soft ground. I think there are only five in here with a chance. #2- Felix (15-1) 7yo gelding has made his bones on the AW but ran third to Lord North in the Dubai Turf (GI) in 2021, and fifth in the Jebel Hatta (GI) at Meydan last season. Had a good prep in the Zabeel Turf, last early behind a slow pace, then followed Blue Trail turning into the stretch, ducked to the rail and kept on well to the finish. #4- Blue Trail (9-2) is still a maiden on turf, but ran second behind Warren Point at Goodwood last summer. Inside trip in the Zabeel Turf, stayed on to the wire but didn't quicken much. #5- New Comedy (7-1) makes his third start at the 2023 Carnival. Good second behind Enemy going 12F, then led through moderate fractions and tired when tried over 14F last time. Cut back could help, draws nicely in PP3, gelded son of Sea The Stars is lightly-raced and might get a piece with an improved effort. #6- Falling Shadow (2-1) is Buick's choice, was ridden for luck in the Zabeel, not the clearest run between rivals turning for home, finished strongly once a seam opened. Deserving favorite, but took the worst of it (other than stablemate First View) drawing PP13. #12- Zaman (9-2) sat out the back in the Zabeel, made a strong early, wide run to finish right behind Falling Shadow. Faces a similar prospect today.
EX- 2,6/2,4,5,6,12
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m (Handicap) (Dirt) (3yo+ 90-106)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832923
#1- Law of Peace (5-2) has a good record at a mile on dirt here, last was up in GIII company on the wet-fast track two weeks ago where he was kept 5-wide® all the way around by O'Shea to stay out of the splashback, drops in class today and has every chance. #2- Quality Boone (9-2) also has a fine record over the track, was 4-wide in a similar event three weeks ago, only asked for his best late. Drew the rail, big factor with a clean trip.#3- Positive Impact (10-1) is a bit of a ? on dirt, but has a big AW win on his resume. Made Meydan turf debut last out, was wide early, made the front at the 400m mark, then tired late. Consistent, improving colt can make presence felt. #7- Josephino (8-1) is interesting, if only from the jockey booking of William Buick. Had a rail trip going 7F here last time, kept on for fourth. Improving colt has won at a mile, certainly not out of this. #11- Street Mood (9-2) has run well in lesser races at Meydan (6/2-2-1), had no speed at all last race over C&D, big finish to win going away. Doubts creep in at this level, but couldn't be in better form.
EX- 1,2/1,2,3,7,11
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 6f Dubai Trophy (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832924
Seems destined to be a near-repeat of the Al Wasl race from 3 weeks ago. #2- Al Dasim (4-5) won that one emphatically after tracking the strong pace set by #1- Fast-Uno (5-1). That one draws the stands-side gate, needs to rebound from subsequent sloppy dirt track non-effort two weeks ago. #8- Noor Bano (7-1) could interest, despite maiden status. Drew the far side stall in the Al Wasl, ran on her own courage, and path, while gradually angling across the track to engage the others, finishing third just behind Fast-Uno. Drew PP6 in this, with the favorite up in PP3, but is probably still running for second-best.
EX- 2,8/1,2,5,8
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m2f Curlin Handicap (Dirt) (3yo+ 90-112)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832925
HFTC #1- Hypothetical (7-2) is the class of the field, giving 9+ lbs to the rest, but drew wide in PP10 and likely is using this as a prep for the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday. Doesn't have to win this. #5- Withering (5-1) runs well without winning much (11/1-7-1), gets PP9 which doesn't help. #6- White Wolf (7-1) has only four career starts, with two AW wins. Just missed when second in the Zabeel Turf last time, dirt still a question to be answered but is bred for it. Drew worst of all in PP12, ouch. 1,4,5,6,9,11 in some combination if you must, but I won't.
PASS
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 5f Blue Point Sprint (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832926
#2- Acklam Express (7-1) is now in his third year travelling to Dubai, has yet to win but always goes well at his favored 5F. Gets blinkers-on today, drew towards the stands side in PP12. Last time he had the worst of the gates in PP1 and still got fourth by 1 1/2 lengths, it had to have cost him as he slowly niggled his way over to where the real racing was going on. Gives back 6lbs to the favorite, but he should go close regardless. Upset special! #6- Lazuli (2-1) will be favored, and is at equal weights with all but Khaadem today. Won this event last year, and hasn't missed the board at Meydan in four tries. Got the absolute worst draw in PP1 and Buick will have to summon all his skills to overcome that. Quite surprised to see #8- Man of Promise (4-1) among the entries, as he is clearly best at 6F and will be pointing towards the two sprints on Super Saturday and World Cup night. Already has two starts at the Carnival, Appleby must think he needs the run though. I liked #10- Ponntos (12-1) last time in the Dash, and he nearly got into the exacta at 33-1 after setting a strong pace. Draws high (good) in PP11, should be sent again by Fresu, don't think he can win this but he'll make the others work hard. #11- Raasel (15-1) ran fifth first time over the course, only 3+ lengths behind Lazuli. His only well-beaten results were all in GI-company. Another which might not scale the highest heights, but has to be considered.
EX- 2,6/2,5,6,8,10,11
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832927
#9- Tiger Nation (2-1) has won both starts impressively, including the 7F Trial last out. Tamarkuz colt has to answer the distance question today, and drew widest in PP9. Lots of chatter about #6- Shirl's Bee (5-2), owned by Fipke the diamond mine guy, looked good winning debut over C&D in December. The Doug O'Neill trained #8- Tall Boy (4-1) runs in the Calumet colors, is an improving maiden which is probably the best-bred for distance in the field. Gets blinkers, and, oh yeah, William Buick. Ought to be one of those three, but I'll be making lunch around then.
PASS
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832928
Hoping that some combination of Danyah, Modern News, and Shining Blue contest the pace and bring the closers into the race. #9- Rodaballo (12-1) ran in the Al Fahidi Fort (GII) on opening night, sat out the back and had to wait for room into the stretch, finished as well as anyone not named Al Suhail, which lowered the track record. Prolific winner (17/8-4-1) won a GII in Germany, matches up well on form with stablemate Samedi Rien which has been one of the surprises this Carnival season. Drew wide in PP10 but will likely sit at the rear again anyways. #11- Spirit of Light (10-1) is the one I really like. Spotty record (14/2-3-2) overall and here at Meydan, former Godolphin runner was turned over to Ian Williams last Spring. Was trapped at the back of a mile handicap here in week two, ran on well to be fifth of sixteen. Turned back to 7F last time, he had major traffic trouble, having to snatch up and pull outside for a seam, came flying home to be second of sixteen behind Shining Blue. Gets blinkers today, PP4, with a clear run he could mow them down.
WIN- 11 EX- 9,11/2,4,5,8,9,10,11
TW
Five cards down, five to go. Most runners have had a race or two over the course(s). Watched all the replays. Let's go.
MEY R1 (9:00am ET)- 1m2f (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 90-109)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832922
Many of these ran in the Zabeel Turf two weeks ago, the day that featured rain, wind, and soft ground. I think there are only five in here with a chance. #2- Felix (15-1) 7yo gelding has made his bones on the AW but ran third to Lord North in the Dubai Turf (GI) in 2021, and fifth in the Jebel Hatta (GI) at Meydan last season. Had a good prep in the Zabeel Turf, last early behind a slow pace, then followed Blue Trail turning into the stretch, ducked to the rail and kept on well to the finish. #4- Blue Trail (9-2) is still a maiden on turf, but ran second behind Warren Point at Goodwood last summer. Inside trip in the Zabeel Turf, stayed on to the wire but didn't quicken much. #5- New Comedy (7-1) makes his third start at the 2023 Carnival. Good second behind Enemy going 12F, then led through moderate fractions and tired when tried over 14F last time. Cut back could help, draws nicely in PP3, gelded son of Sea The Stars is lightly-raced and might get a piece with an improved effort. #6- Falling Shadow (2-1) is Buick's choice, was ridden for luck in the Zabeel, not the clearest run between rivals turning for home, finished strongly once a seam opened. Deserving favorite, but took the worst of it (other than stablemate First View) drawing PP13. #12- Zaman (9-2) sat out the back in the Zabeel, made a strong early, wide run to finish right behind Falling Shadow. Faces a similar prospect today.
EX- 2,6/2,4,5,6,12
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m (Handicap) (Dirt) (3yo+ 90-106)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832923
#1- Law of Peace (5-2) has a good record at a mile on dirt here, last was up in GIII company on the wet-fast track two weeks ago where he was kept 5-wide® all the way around by O'Shea to stay out of the splashback, drops in class today and has every chance. #2- Quality Boone (9-2) also has a fine record over the track, was 4-wide in a similar event three weeks ago, only asked for his best late. Drew the rail, big factor with a clean trip.#3- Positive Impact (10-1) is a bit of a ? on dirt, but has a big AW win on his resume. Made Meydan turf debut last out, was wide early, made the front at the 400m mark, then tired late. Consistent, improving colt can make presence felt. #7- Josephino (8-1) is interesting, if only from the jockey booking of William Buick. Had a rail trip going 7F here last time, kept on for fourth. Improving colt has won at a mile, certainly not out of this. #11- Street Mood (9-2) has run well in lesser races at Meydan (6/2-2-1), had no speed at all last race over C&D, big finish to win going away. Doubts creep in at this level, but couldn't be in better form.
EX- 1,2/1,2,3,7,11
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 6f Dubai Trophy (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832924
Seems destined to be a near-repeat of the Al Wasl race from 3 weeks ago. #2- Al Dasim (4-5) won that one emphatically after tracking the strong pace set by #1- Fast-Uno (5-1). That one draws the stands-side gate, needs to rebound from subsequent sloppy dirt track non-effort two weeks ago. #8- Noor Bano (7-1) could interest, despite maiden status. Drew the far side stall in the Al Wasl, ran on her own courage, and path, while gradually angling across the track to engage the others, finishing third just behind Fast-Uno. Drew PP6 in this, with the favorite up in PP3, but is probably still running for second-best.
EX- 2,8/1,2,5,8
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m2f Curlin Handicap (Dirt) (3yo+ 90-112)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832925
HFTC #1- Hypothetical (7-2) is the class of the field, giving 9+ lbs to the rest, but drew wide in PP10 and likely is using this as a prep for the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday. Doesn't have to win this. #5- Withering (5-1) runs well without winning much (11/1-7-1), gets PP9 which doesn't help. #6- White Wolf (7-1) has only four career starts, with two AW wins. Just missed when second in the Zabeel Turf last time, dirt still a question to be answered but is bred for it. Drew worst of all in PP12, ouch. 1,4,5,6,9,11 in some combination if you must, but I won't.
PASS
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 5f Blue Point Sprint (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832926
#2- Acklam Express (7-1) is now in his third year travelling to Dubai, has yet to win but always goes well at his favored 5F. Gets blinkers-on today, drew towards the stands side in PP12. Last time he had the worst of the gates in PP1 and still got fourth by 1 1/2 lengths, it had to have cost him as he slowly niggled his way over to where the real racing was going on. Gives back 6lbs to the favorite, but he should go close regardless. Upset special! #6- Lazuli (2-1) will be favored, and is at equal weights with all but Khaadem today. Won this event last year, and hasn't missed the board at Meydan in four tries. Got the absolute worst draw in PP1 and Buick will have to summon all his skills to overcome that. Quite surprised to see #8- Man of Promise (4-1) among the entries, as he is clearly best at 6F and will be pointing towards the two sprints on Super Saturday and World Cup night. Already has two starts at the Carnival, Appleby must think he needs the run though. I liked #10- Ponntos (12-1) last time in the Dash, and he nearly got into the exacta at 33-1 after setting a strong pace. Draws high (good) in PP11, should be sent again by Fresu, don't think he can win this but he'll make the others work hard. #11- Raasel (15-1) ran fifth first time over the course, only 3+ lengths behind Lazuli. His only well-beaten results were all in GI-company. Another which might not scale the highest heights, but has to be considered.
EX- 2,6/2,5,6,8,10,11
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832927
#9- Tiger Nation (2-1) has won both starts impressively, including the 7F Trial last out. Tamarkuz colt has to answer the distance question today, and drew widest in PP9. Lots of chatter about #6- Shirl's Bee (5-2), owned by Fipke the diamond mine guy, looked good winning debut over C&D in December. The Doug O'Neill trained #8- Tall Boy (4-1) runs in the Calumet colors, is an improving maiden which is probably the best-bred for distance in the field. Gets blinkers, and, oh yeah, William Buick. Ought to be one of those three, but I'll be making lunch around then.
PASS
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (4yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-02-10/832928
Hoping that some combination of Danyah, Modern News, and Shining Blue contest the pace and bring the closers into the race. #9- Rodaballo (12-1) ran in the Al Fahidi Fort (GII) on opening night, sat out the back and had to wait for room into the stretch, finished as well as anyone not named Al Suhail, which lowered the track record. Prolific winner (17/8-4-1) won a GII in Germany, matches up well on form with stablemate Samedi Rien which has been one of the surprises this Carnival season. Drew wide in PP10 but will likely sit at the rear again anyways. #11- Spirit of Light (10-1) is the one I really like. Spotty record (14/2-3-2) overall and here at Meydan, former Godolphin runner was turned over to Ian Williams last Spring. Was trapped at the back of a mile handicap here in week two, ran on well to be fifth of sixteen. Turned back to 7F last time, he had major traffic trouble, having to snatch up and pull outside for a seam, came flying home to be second of sixteen behind Shining Blue. Gets blinkers today, PP4, with a clear run he could mow them down.
WIN- 11 EX- 9,11/2,4,5,8,9,10,11
TW