.jpg)
Dubai World Cup Carnival- Friday 2/11
Feb 9, 2022 7:41:47 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Feb 9, 2022 7:41:47 GMT -5
3 races on turf, including a GII and a Listed event, and three dirt races, two GIIIs and a Listed on that surface.
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m4f (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 90-116)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804767
12F handicap with many of these dropping down from Listed company. #4- Volcanic Sky (5-1) was third to stablemate Siskany two weeks ago in first start since August, ran like he needed the race and should come on for that effort. Drops back in trip and gets Frankie aboard, who guided him to a GIII victory here last term. #11- Kingswear (9-2) is the wildcard in the field. Largely progressive in four AW starts, he's been away from the racetrack since December 2020. Appleby can get them ready to win fresh, and he's a full-brother to Dartmouth, which ran in The Queen's colors winning the Hardwicke S. (GII) and the Yorkshire Cup (GII). Most of the others need to find their form, so using a few marginal contenders underneath searching for value.
EX- 4,11/2,4,10,11,12,13 Result: 3,2,4 I couldn't see Global Storm ($10.20) in the top half of the field, let alone being the winner, but he was bet down to 4-1 and sat a perfect trip for a comfortable win. Clearly they had him ready today after his form had tailed off last year. Strange race with very little pace and a bunched up field. Kingswear led them around to the top of the stretch, then fell away to finish next to last. Puzzling.
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804768
Three that I would have otherwise liked, Kiefer, Quality Boone, and Sadaaty, all drew very wide and that will probably compromise their chances given the way the main track has played here this meet. #4- Bendoog (6-1) won his only start over C&D in January, under James Doyle in wire-to-wire fashion. Son of Gun Runner gets the inside draw and Tadgh O'Shea for this, should be out winging it. #12- Rawy (4-1) had two seconds going 6F, then stretched out to 7F last time in the Guineas Trial, beating Quality Boone and Kiefer by bursting right to the front and drawing away on the turn into the stretch to hold them off. Should have no problem with another furlong, draws post six, has some class about him. Using three underneath that won over the track in their last start, including #5- Conglomerate (30-1) which was game in winning against three Godolphin rivals over the wet-fast track on New Year's Day. Could sit a similar inside trip again.
EX- 4,12/2,3,4,5,12 Result: 3,1,2 Pace meltdown as Azure Coast ($18.70) came from dead last to pass them all. Kiefer also came from off the pace to overcome leader Bendoog, but had to watch as the winner sailed by. Quality Boone ran another good race, closing well to hit the board. Winner is now 3-for-3, by Street Sense out of an Empire Maker mare. Big dude!
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804769
Five Godolphin prospects in the overflow field of 16 runners. Didn't expect to see #1- D'Bai (5-2) entered in this Listed event, but maybe they didn't have him ready for the Al Fahidi Fort (GII) three weeks ago. Drew the 12 hole, and hasn't been a prolific winner lately, so will try to beat him at his expected short price. #4- Modern News (7-2) has won four-of-six starts, including last three at 7F. He should have more improvement in him, and has won fresh twice. Jamie Doyle is a worthy substitute for Buick, who rides the presumptive favorite. #5- Storm Damage (6-1) had a tough inside trip in the Al Fahidi, getting shut off in mid-stretch and rerouting to the rail, which finally opened for him in the last 100 meters. Draws the 8 hole for this, and that should suit him better as he was a bit rank and unhappy down inside. Think he has a big chance at a price. I'd like to use #6- Story of Light (8-1) underneath but he drew the 15 hole, that'll cost him lengths. Can't ignore my buddy #7- Zainhom (15-1) which ran a huge closing third in the Al Fahidi and gets a cozy inside position today. You never know when 'peak Zainhom' is going to occur, but you need to use him for when it happens. Dane O'Neill takes the mount, he won with him last February.
WIN- 5 EX- 4,5/1,4,5,7,9,11 Result: 5,10,4 Win $75.50 Godolphin 1-2-3, and a satisfying result. Storm Damage ($15.10) found himself on the lead going just a moderate pace after breaking well, accelerated into the stretch and won impressively, in a new track record (1:21.77). The first four finishers were in the top five all the way around. D'Bai went off at even-money, had no chance to close, swallowed tons of pool money.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m2f Curlin Stakes (Listed Race) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804770
Seems like only two of these have a realistic shot at the win. #2- Salute the Soldier (5-2) likes it here (7/3-0-1), won the GI Al Maktoum Challenge Final last season. Tuned up in Round 1 last month and didn't show that kind of form, so an off-ramp to this Listed race could be just the tonic he needs. No one else in the race has credentials like him. #1- Dubai Icon (4-1) just demolished his field last time, winning by 8+ in wire-to-wire fashion, though the quality of that group was suspect. Frankie hops aboard today, we'll see how he handicapped the race as to whether he sends or not.
EX- 1,2/1,2,3,7,10 Result: 9,12,7 Slow, underwhelming, headscratcher. Take your pick. Doug O'Neill's OCLM Appreciated ($20.30), most recently setting the pace in two turn turf races in CA, broke poorly, sat wide at the back of the field, was five wide on the turn and gradually got to the front, outdueling (?) Sanad Libya, which ran sixth in this last year. Another strange race.
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m1f Singspiel Stakes (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804771
Always a puzzle trying to figure out which Godolphin will run 'best' in any given stakes race, as they like all their horses to get Group wins at some point in their careers. #10- Royal Fleet (5-1) has been progressive through six starts, win four victories, ran second over C&D behind Desert Fire three weeks ago, gets post 4 and should improve once again today. #12- Zakouski (2-1) won the Zabeel Mile (GII) in 2020, won the Al Rashidiya (GII) last season. Ran poorly last out in the Bahrain Trophy, and Buick wrapped up on him late so the beaten margin looks worse than it was. That was at 10F over a different course, expecting Appleby to have him sorted out for this one. If there is a good pace, #3- Bedouin's Story (7-1) can be a major player. Habitually slow from the gate, but has a serious turn of foot, quite similar to Lord Glitters, who is also in this field. Frankie rides Bedouin's Story from post 1, but he'll be out the back hoping for a strong gallop up front, probably from Passion and Glory.
EX- 10,12/1,2,3,8,10,12 WIN- 3 >= 8-1 Result: 8,10,12 How good is Lord Glitters ($11.50)!? No pace, no problem. 11 wins in 44 starts, with three victories here. Happy to lose to him. Royal Fleet was racing awkwardly in between horses, ran up on heels in the stretch, might have given away the win. Hats off to the gray winner.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 6f Al Shindagha Sprint (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804772
Watched quite a few replays trying to figure out this GIII sprint. Taking two longer priced horses on top looking for a small score, but fully expect to be beaten by another. #6- Meraas (6-1) absolutely crushed a handicap field over C&D in December in his first career dirt start. Not sure he beat much, but runner-up Dahawi came back to win two in a row, albeit on turf. Draws the 4 hole and should be ridden forwardly. #9- Bet Law (10-1) is a SH 3yo from Uruguay, and gets a few pounds from these. Three wins in four starts, including an impressive victory to open the Carnival last month. Needs to step up again against this field, but has had four weeks to recover and may move forward...or bounce. One I'll use underneath is #7- Notre Dame (12-1) from Doug O'Neill, with Fernando Jara aboard. $1M son of Into Mischief hasn't been able to clear his first allowance condition, but just ran a hole in the wind in an OCLM at SA, where you could have reached in and taken him for $50K. Possibly just cannon fodder today, or maybe the lightbulb finally went on in his fourteenth start. He'll be a price anyways.
EX- 6,9/1,2,4,6,7,9 Result: 6,2,1 Exacta $54.40 Meraas ($22.30) and Bet Law dueled on the front end early, but Meraas put that one away and had enough left to hold of the cavalry. Exacta came back light, I felt. Good day at the office for Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, who won two GIIIs on the dirt.
Wagered: 71.00 Returned: 129.90 Profit: 58.90
After week 5 of 9 still showing a decent profit.
TW
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m4f (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 90-116)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804767
12F handicap with many of these dropping down from Listed company. #4- Volcanic Sky (5-1) was third to stablemate Siskany two weeks ago in first start since August, ran like he needed the race and should come on for that effort. Drops back in trip and gets Frankie aboard, who guided him to a GIII victory here last term. #11- Kingswear (9-2) is the wildcard in the field. Largely progressive in four AW starts, he's been away from the racetrack since December 2020. Appleby can get them ready to win fresh, and he's a full-brother to Dartmouth, which ran in The Queen's colors winning the Hardwicke S. (GII) and the Yorkshire Cup (GII). Most of the others need to find their form, so using a few marginal contenders underneath searching for value.
EX- 4,11/2,4,10,11,12,13 Result: 3,2,4 I couldn't see Global Storm ($10.20) in the top half of the field, let alone being the winner, but he was bet down to 4-1 and sat a perfect trip for a comfortable win. Clearly they had him ready today after his form had tailed off last year. Strange race with very little pace and a bunched up field. Kingswear led them around to the top of the stretch, then fell away to finish next to last. Puzzling.
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 1m UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804768
Three that I would have otherwise liked, Kiefer, Quality Boone, and Sadaaty, all drew very wide and that will probably compromise their chances given the way the main track has played here this meet. #4- Bendoog (6-1) won his only start over C&D in January, under James Doyle in wire-to-wire fashion. Son of Gun Runner gets the inside draw and Tadgh O'Shea for this, should be out winging it. #12- Rawy (4-1) had two seconds going 6F, then stretched out to 7F last time in the Guineas Trial, beating Quality Boone and Kiefer by bursting right to the front and drawing away on the turn into the stretch to hold them off. Should have no problem with another furlong, draws post six, has some class about him. Using three underneath that won over the track in their last start, including #5- Conglomerate (30-1) which was game in winning against three Godolphin rivals over the wet-fast track on New Year's Day. Could sit a similar inside trip again.
EX- 4,12/2,3,4,5,12 Result: 3,1,2 Pace meltdown as Azure Coast ($18.70) came from dead last to pass them all. Kiefer also came from off the pace to overcome leader Bendoog, but had to watch as the winner sailed by. Quality Boone ran another good race, closing well to hit the board. Winner is now 3-for-3, by Street Sense out of an Empire Maker mare. Big dude!
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 7f Business Bay Challenge (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804769
Five Godolphin prospects in the overflow field of 16 runners. Didn't expect to see #1- D'Bai (5-2) entered in this Listed event, but maybe they didn't have him ready for the Al Fahidi Fort (GII) three weeks ago. Drew the 12 hole, and hasn't been a prolific winner lately, so will try to beat him at his expected short price. #4- Modern News (7-2) has won four-of-six starts, including last three at 7F. He should have more improvement in him, and has won fresh twice. Jamie Doyle is a worthy substitute for Buick, who rides the presumptive favorite. #5- Storm Damage (6-1) had a tough inside trip in the Al Fahidi, getting shut off in mid-stretch and rerouting to the rail, which finally opened for him in the last 100 meters. Draws the 8 hole for this, and that should suit him better as he was a bit rank and unhappy down inside. Think he has a big chance at a price. I'd like to use #6- Story of Light (8-1) underneath but he drew the 15 hole, that'll cost him lengths. Can't ignore my buddy #7- Zainhom (15-1) which ran a huge closing third in the Al Fahidi and gets a cozy inside position today. You never know when 'peak Zainhom' is going to occur, but you need to use him for when it happens. Dane O'Neill takes the mount, he won with him last February.
WIN- 5 EX- 4,5/1,4,5,7,9,11 Result: 5,10,4 Win $75.50 Godolphin 1-2-3, and a satisfying result. Storm Damage ($15.10) found himself on the lead going just a moderate pace after breaking well, accelerated into the stretch and won impressively, in a new track record (1:21.77). The first four finishers were in the top five all the way around. D'Bai went off at even-money, had no chance to close, swallowed tons of pool money.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m2f Curlin Stakes (Listed Race) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804770
Seems like only two of these have a realistic shot at the win. #2- Salute the Soldier (5-2) likes it here (7/3-0-1), won the GI Al Maktoum Challenge Final last season. Tuned up in Round 1 last month and didn't show that kind of form, so an off-ramp to this Listed race could be just the tonic he needs. No one else in the race has credentials like him. #1- Dubai Icon (4-1) just demolished his field last time, winning by 8+ in wire-to-wire fashion, though the quality of that group was suspect. Frankie hops aboard today, we'll see how he handicapped the race as to whether he sends or not.
EX- 1,2/1,2,3,7,10 Result: 9,12,7 Slow, underwhelming, headscratcher. Take your pick. Doug O'Neill's OCLM Appreciated ($20.30), most recently setting the pace in two turn turf races in CA, broke poorly, sat wide at the back of the field, was five wide on the turn and gradually got to the front, outdueling (?) Sanad Libya, which ran sixth in this last year. Another strange race.
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m1f Singspiel Stakes (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804771
Always a puzzle trying to figure out which Godolphin will run 'best' in any given stakes race, as they like all their horses to get Group wins at some point in their careers. #10- Royal Fleet (5-1) has been progressive through six starts, win four victories, ran second over C&D behind Desert Fire three weeks ago, gets post 4 and should improve once again today. #12- Zakouski (2-1) won the Zabeel Mile (GII) in 2020, won the Al Rashidiya (GII) last season. Ran poorly last out in the Bahrain Trophy, and Buick wrapped up on him late so the beaten margin looks worse than it was. That was at 10F over a different course, expecting Appleby to have him sorted out for this one. If there is a good pace, #3- Bedouin's Story (7-1) can be a major player. Habitually slow from the gate, but has a serious turn of foot, quite similar to Lord Glitters, who is also in this field. Frankie rides Bedouin's Story from post 1, but he'll be out the back hoping for a strong gallop up front, probably from Passion and Glory.
EX- 10,12/1,2,3,8,10,12 WIN- 3 >= 8-1 Result: 8,10,12 How good is Lord Glitters ($11.50)!? No pace, no problem. 11 wins in 44 starts, with three victories here. Happy to lose to him. Royal Fleet was racing awkwardly in between horses, ran up on heels in the stretch, might have given away the win. Hats off to the gray winner.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 6f Al Shindagha Sprint (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2022-02-11/804772
Watched quite a few replays trying to figure out this GIII sprint. Taking two longer priced horses on top looking for a small score, but fully expect to be beaten by another. #6- Meraas (6-1) absolutely crushed a handicap field over C&D in December in his first career dirt start. Not sure he beat much, but runner-up Dahawi came back to win two in a row, albeit on turf. Draws the 4 hole and should be ridden forwardly. #9- Bet Law (10-1) is a SH 3yo from Uruguay, and gets a few pounds from these. Three wins in four starts, including an impressive victory to open the Carnival last month. Needs to step up again against this field, but has had four weeks to recover and may move forward...or bounce. One I'll use underneath is #7- Notre Dame (12-1) from Doug O'Neill, with Fernando Jara aboard. $1M son of Into Mischief hasn't been able to clear his first allowance condition, but just ran a hole in the wind in an OCLM at SA, where you could have reached in and taken him for $50K. Possibly just cannon fodder today, or maybe the lightbulb finally went on in his fourteenth start. He'll be a price anyways.
EX- 6,9/1,2,4,6,7,9 Result: 6,2,1 Exacta $54.40 Meraas ($22.30) and Bet Law dueled on the front end early, but Meraas put that one away and had enough left to hold of the cavalry. Exacta came back light, I felt. Good day at the office for Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, who won two GIIIs on the dirt.
Wagered: 71.00 Returned: 129.90 Profit: 58.90
After week 5 of 9 still showing a decent profit.
TW
