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Dubai World Cup Carnival- Friday 2/4
Feb 2, 2022 8:26:28 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Feb 2, 2022 8:26:28 GMT -5
Somewhat of a quiet week in Dubai, only two turf races (GII & Listed) and four on dirt, including a GII & GIII. The GII Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 features Hot Rod Charlie from Doug O'Neill, who sent over a small string of horses for the rest of the Carnival.
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m Jumeirah Classic (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804395
Godolphin appears to have this one at their mercy, but trying to find a viable wager is tricky. Chiefof Comanches and Hotline Bling can be tossed, although the latter did run well in its first start here. #5- New Science (4-5) is currently taking all the money, Buick named to ride, but he's making his first start since September and would seem better suited to come back in the Jumeriah Derby at 10F in three weeks than#3- Island Falcon (3-1), which was a prompt winner of the 9F prep for this under Dettori. Island Falcon turns back to flat mile, can sit a mid-pack trip on the outside and have plenty to offer in the lane. #7- Sovereign Prince (8-1) is the third Godolphin, draws the one hole and will likely try to repeat his last race, where he rode the rail and waited for the hole to open turning for home. Despite the victory, he wasn't drawing away from rivals and a mile isn't guaranteed to move him up. #4- Mr Professor (15-1) and #6- Sed Maarib (12-1) both tried Island Falcon last time and found the distance too far, turnback to the mile will only help them but minor awards are probably their ceilings.
EXBOX- 5,6 Result: 7,4,5 Sovereign Prince ($7.60) sat the same trip once again, tracking Hotline Bling which went out quickly, tipped out past that one into the stretch and held off the closers. New Science was content to sit at the back, made a mild bit turning in but clearly needed the race.
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m Firebreak Stakes (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804396
Weak field assembled for this GIII. The class-droppers seem badly off form, and the in-form horses need to prove themselves at this level. Preference is for #5- Prince Eiji (7-2) which ran second first time on dirt when missing by a head to Kafoo, which runs in the next race (GII) after a good third behind Golden Goal and Secret Ambition most recently. #3- Island Rule (6-1) has been the runnerup in two starts here at 7F this term, can improve again although a mile may be a bridge too far. #7- Tuz (2-1) is one of three for Bhupat Seemar in here and probably his best hope. Won the Dubai Creek Mile in December prepping for this, meets an underwhelming bunch but still has to prove himself today, wouldn't accept a short price.
WIN- 5 EX- 5/3,7 Result: 2,6,7 I liked Hypothetical ($7.30) last time but he disappointed and was practically pulled up. They fixed the problem, clearly, as he was bet down to second choice and ran like it, setting a moderate pace and having plenty left to see off the challengers. Prince Eiji sat second but had nothing to offer in the lane, he's a bit of an enigma now and impossible to rely on for a win.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m1½f (1m1f110y) Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804397
If #11- Hot Rod Charlie (1-2) handles the Meydan dirt course he should win this easily. Drew post three and has William Buick aboard. Logical underneath players are #8- Al Nefud (10-1) which is two-for-two at a mile over the course this winter, Ryan Moore is named, and #12- Kafoo (4-1) which ran a fine third behind Golden Goal in Round 1 of the Challenge last time. Distance should be spot on but he gives away a boatload of experience to the favorite.
TRI- 11/8,12/2,6,7,8,10,12 Result: 11,8,2 Triple $52.40 Workmanlike victory for Hot Rod Charlie ($2.70) who is now proven over the course, and sets up a very competitive field for the Dubai World Cup next month. Al Nefud was sent four-wide around the first turn to get alongside the winner and keep him honest, kept running on down the lane to be a clear second. Everfast (remember him? 2nd in the 2019 Preakness for Dale Romans) also sat forwardly placed, ran on for third.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 1m1f Balanchine (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804399
Godolphin's two best hopes drew the outside posts to complicate matters further, with many of these runners returning from the underwhelming Cape Verdi Stakes (GII) at a mile on opening night of the Carnival. Eight runners finished within four lengths of the winner that day, so a new shooter could well be the answer today. #1- Pevensey Bay (7-2) won the Cape Verdi under a brilliant ride by Olivier Peslier, coming from far behind and stuck behind a wall of horses, finally getting clear and showing a sensational turn-of-foot to get up at the wire. Drew the four hole and may get a better tow-around in this. #2- Creative Flair (9-5) drew the nine hole for first start since September at Belmont Park, her two race raid on the States resulted in a third and a fourth. Gets Buick back for this, blinkers go on, been pointed to this spot but questions linger in my mind. #4- Dubai Love (10-1), #7- Silent Night 2(0-1), and #10- Wedding Dance (7-1) have at least handled Group company over the course, can be used underneath. I'd like the progressive Wedding Dance a lot more if she didn't get the outside post, but may make a win saver if her odds head north of 8-1.
EX- 1,2/1,2,4,7,10WIN- 10 >=8-1 Result: 2,1,4 Exacta $7.40 Creative Flair ($4.70) was prominent throughout, kept finding more all the way to the line. Dubai Love looked like the winner at the furlong pole but flattened out, letting the closing Pevensey Bay by for second. Wedding Dance had no chance from a wide, deep position.
Wagered: 27.00 Returned: 59.80 Profit: 32.80
TW
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m Jumeirah Classic (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804395
Godolphin appears to have this one at their mercy, but trying to find a viable wager is tricky. Chiefof Comanches and Hotline Bling can be tossed, although the latter did run well in its first start here. #5- New Science (4-5) is currently taking all the money, Buick named to ride, but he's making his first start since September and would seem better suited to come back in the Jumeriah Derby at 10F in three weeks than
EXBOX- 5,6 Result: 7,4,5 Sovereign Prince ($7.60) sat the same trip once again, tracking Hotline Bling which went out quickly, tipped out past that one into the stretch and held off the closers. New Science was content to sit at the back, made a mild bit turning in but clearly needed the race.
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 1m Firebreak Stakes (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804396
Weak field assembled for this GIII. The class-droppers seem badly off form, and the in-form horses need to prove themselves at this level. Preference is for #5- Prince Eiji (7-2) which ran second first time on dirt when missing by a head to Kafoo, which runs in the next race (GII) after a good third behind Golden Goal and Secret Ambition most recently. #3- Island Rule (6-1) has been the runnerup in two starts here at 7F this term, can improve again although a mile may be a bridge too far. #7- Tuz (2-1) is one of three for Bhupat Seemar in here and probably his best hope. Won the Dubai Creek Mile in December prepping for this, meets an underwhelming bunch but still has to prove himself today, wouldn't accept a short price.
WIN- 5 EX- 5/3,7 Result: 2,6,7 I liked Hypothetical ($7.30) last time but he disappointed and was practically pulled up. They fixed the problem, clearly, as he was bet down to second choice and ran like it, setting a moderate pace and having plenty left to see off the challengers. Prince Eiji sat second but had nothing to offer in the lane, he's a bit of an enigma now and impossible to rely on for a win.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m1½f (1m1f110y) Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804397
If #11- Hot Rod Charlie (1-2) handles the Meydan dirt course he should win this easily. Drew post three and has William Buick aboard. Logical underneath players are #8- Al Nefud (10-1) which is two-for-two at a mile over the course this winter, Ryan Moore is named, and #12- Kafoo (4-1) which ran a fine third behind Golden Goal in Round 1 of the Challenge last time. Distance should be spot on but he gives away a boatload of experience to the favorite.
TRI- 11/8,12/2,6,7,8,10,12 Result: 11,8,2 Triple $52.40 Workmanlike victory for Hot Rod Charlie ($2.70) who is now proven over the course, and sets up a very competitive field for the Dubai World Cup next month. Al Nefud was sent four-wide around the first turn to get alongside the winner and keep him honest, kept running on down the lane to be a clear second. Everfast (remember him? 2nd in the 2019 Preakness for Dale Romans) also sat forwardly placed, ran on for third.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 1m1f Balanchine (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-04/804399
Godolphin's two best hopes drew the outside posts to complicate matters further, with many of these runners returning from the underwhelming Cape Verdi Stakes (GII) at a mile on opening night of the Carnival. Eight runners finished within four lengths of the winner that day, so a new shooter could well be the answer today. #1- Pevensey Bay (7-2) won the Cape Verdi under a brilliant ride by Olivier Peslier, coming from far behind and stuck behind a wall of horses, finally getting clear and showing a sensational turn-of-foot to get up at the wire. Drew the four hole and may get a better tow-around in this. #2- Creative Flair (9-5) drew the nine hole for first start since September at Belmont Park, her two race raid on the States resulted in a third and a fourth. Gets Buick back for this, blinkers go on, been pointed to this spot but questions linger in my mind. #4- Dubai Love (10-1), #7- Silent Night 2(0-1), and #10- Wedding Dance (7-1) have at least handled Group company over the course, can be used underneath. I'd like the progressive Wedding Dance a lot more if she didn't get the outside post, but may make a win saver if her odds head north of 8-1.
EX- 1,2/1,2,4,7,10
Wagered: 27.00 Returned: 59.80 Profit: 32.80
TW
