UAE- Meydan 12/22- LIVE FESTIVE FRIDAY

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The 2023-2024 Carnival really picks up steam on Festive Friday with the first races over the turf course. Features are the Al Maktoum Mile (GII) on dirt, and the Al Rashidiya (GII) on turf. I see that Tyler Gaffalione is over there to ride and has three mounts, including Godolphin Mile (GII) winner Isolate in the Al Maktoum Mile.


2023-2024 calendar:  dubairacingclub.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/DRC%20Program%20Chart.pdf



MEY R2 (9:05am ET)- 5f Ertijaal Dubai Dash (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857149


MEY R3 (9:40am ET)- 7f Conditions Race (Fillies) (Dirt) (2yo)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857150


MEY R4 (10:15am ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857151


MEY R5 (10:50am ET)- 1m Al Maktoum Mile (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857183


MEY R6 (11:25am ET)- 1m1f Al Rashidiya (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857184


MEY R7 (12:00 Noon ET)- 1m1½f (1m1f110y) Entisar (Listed Race) (Dirt) (3yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857185


MEY R8 (12:35pm ET)- 1m4f (1m4f11y) Dubai Racing Club Classic (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 85-113)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857192


MEY R9 (1:10pm ET)- 6f Handicap (Dirt) (3yo+ 75-95)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-12-22/857193




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Friday rundown:

dubairacingclub.com/media?RID=Dl8aOvnDrf&referrer=t.co




TW

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The first half of the last two Carnivals featured a lot of losing favorites, and some $$ winners, until the form settled down. I'll be playing some solid local connections, at 5-1 or better, from favorable post position draws (High draws in turf sprints, inside posts in route/dirt races.) 


MEY R2 (9:05am ET)- 5f Ertijaal Dubai Dash (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)

Mischief Magic (5-2) (Godolphin/Appleby) figures to be the favorite, and is certainly fast enough, but has not run here previously and has never really gotten back to his 2yo form, try to beat him. Ladies Church (3-1) goes for Johnny Murtagh, ran well here twice last season, but drew poorly and likely has bigger goals here in the new year. Equilateral (9-2) drew pretty low, and isn't getting any younger about to turn 9yo. Spotty form in 2023. #1- Miqyaas (7-1) ran three big races here last year, at double-digit odds, maybe turf brings out his best, dirt prep to clean the rust two weeks ago. Carries a 6lb penalty which doesn't aid his chances. Ponntos (10-1) drew the far side rail, otherwise I would upgrade his chances significantly. Should be one of the pacesetters. Rawy (10-1) appears to be having a turf experiment, never ran on it, not bred for it. Not using. #10- Thunder Of Niagara (11-1) will be my key, drew very nicely in PP11. Always runs well when fresh, had five races here last season (including Listed, GIII, GII, and GI) and wasn't beaten more than five lengths in any of them.  

WIN- 10  EX- 1,10/1,5,7,10,12


MEY R4 (10:15am ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)

#2- Vafortino (5-1) drew the rail, picks up James Doyle to ride, is a 7F specialist and won a Listed event at Redcar in October, carries a 2lb penalty for that but gets six from favored Danyah (2-1) which has been off the track since winning the Al Quoz Sprint (GI) here in March.

WIN- 2


MEY R6 (11:25am ET)- 1m1f Al Rashidiya (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)

#2- Ottoman Fleet (5-1) 4yo son of Sea The Stars is pretty much point-and-shoot (12/4-3-4), GIII-winner in GB, GII-winner at Belmont Park. Buick bails to ride Measured Time, James Doyle a worthy substitute. PP8 makes it a bit tougher, but he could go off fourth in the wagering; runs well fresh. 

WIN- 2  EX- 2,11/1,2,4,9,11


MEY R8 (12:35pm ET)- 1m4f (1m4f11y) Dubai Racing Club Classic (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 85-113)

Only non-Godolphin runner that looks the part is #2- Daramethos (8-1) under Tyler Gaffalione, but he drew way out in PP11 which could leave him with a lot to do. #3- Dhahabi (4-1) won't hold those odds, has handled the course previously, may still have some improvement in him. 

EX- 2,3/1,2,3,4,9





TW

[cherokeescot]

No log in required 😜

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Ponntos (9-1) made all the running as the whole field stayed on the inner half until late in the race. No disadvantage there. Bilhayl (10-1) ran very well first-time-turf to grab second, have to keep an eye on trainer Michael Costa and rider Ben Coen, as they have been on fire the last month.

In Race 3, 7F Dirt 2yoF, Costa/Coen have Lahfaty (even) 2yo Mitole filly that won by three here on debut going six, stretches out today. Fawzi Nass has Manama Gold, a FTS by Star Guitar out of a Dehere mare, cost $200K at OBS April. William Knight shipped Frost at Dawn (hunch bet of the day, was 13 degrees and frosty here at 7AM while the coffee was brewing) over for Saudi connections, ran first and second in two 7F AW tries in GB. William Buick will knock the price down a couple of notches. Figures to be one of those three on top.




TW

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Fawzi Nass:






TW

[1hooper]

What ADW is taking bets on this card?

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Race 5- Don't know that he can win if favored Isolate (1-2) runs his race, but #2- Celtic Prince (25-1) looks certain to outrun his odds from off the pace, goes well when fresh.




TW

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Dec 22, 2023 10:40:54 GMT -5 1hooper said:

What ADW is taking bets on this card?

If you find a US-based one, let me know. I contacted all of them and none of them offer Dubai racing until January. 




TW

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