Dubai WC thread

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I think we could combine all info and discussion on Sat’s big race day into one thread to make things easier.

Seven races on the card, six for TBs and one for Arabians. Over $21m on offer altogether, with a truly international field of runners.

Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr. 1)
Purebred Arabians
Age : 5 yo+
Distance : 2000m/10f
Surface : Dirt
Purse (US$) : 250,000

                               [U][B]Godolphin Mile (Gr.                                    2)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 4 yo+ (NH) - 3 yo+ (SH)
                               Distance : 1600m/8f
                               Surface : Dirt
                               Purse (US$) : 1,000,000 
                               
                               [U][B]UAE Derby (Gr. 2)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 3 yo
                               Distance : 1,800 metres / 9f
                               Surface : Dirt
                               Purse (US$) : 2,000,000 
                               
                               [U][B]Dubai Golden Shaheen                                    (Gr.1)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 3 yo+
                               Distance : 1200m/6f
                               Surface : Dirt
                               Purse (US$) : 2,000,000 
                               
                               [U][B]Dubai Sheema Classic                                    (Gr. 1)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 4 yo+
                               Distance : 2400m/12f
                               Surface : Turf
                               Purse (US$) : 5,000,000 
                               
                               [U][B]Dubai Duty Free (Gr.                                    1)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 4 yo+ (NH) - 3 yo+ (SH)
                               Distance : 1777m/8f+ 177m
                               Surface : Turf
                               Purse (US$) : 5,000,000 
                               
                               [U][B]Dubai World Cup (Gr.1)[/B][/U]
                               Age : 4 yo+ (NH) - 3 yo+ (SH)
                               Distance : 2000m/10f
                               Surface : Dirt
                               Purse (US$) : 6,000,000

[Drvmb1ggl3]

A course map of Nad al Sheba.
http://www.emiratesracing.com/era/images/racecourses/nadalsheba/track.jpg

The track is triangular shaped, about 1½m around, with the Turf course on the inside American style. There is a 6f straight sprint course that extends from the top of the stretch. There are chutes for 1m and 1¼m starts on the dirt course. 1 mile is one turn, 10f is two turn, but because the track is triangular the turns are gentler than the 180 degree turns you see on US tracks. The run-in is 3f.
The turf course is about 11f. The Dubai Duty Free is run over the unusual distance of 1777m, as the course configuration would mean a 1800m (9f) race would be starting on the turn.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Field for the Sheema Classic. 1½m of the grass.
Interesting line up. Includes last year’s Derby winner, Sir Percy, who has dissapointed since. BC Turf winner, Red Rocks. Top Japanese horse, Pop Rock, who was 2nd in the Melbourne Cup as well as 2nd to Deep Impact in the Arima Kinen. The hardknocking and well travelled Collier Hill, a 9yo ex-hurdler who has racked up G1 wins in Can (Candian Intl), HK (HK Vase), Ire (irish St Leger) as well as finishing 2nd to Heart’s Cry in this race last year. Top American Turf mare, Honey Ryder. The Aus bred, HK based, Vengance of Rain, who ahs won the Hong Kong Cup twice and beaten the likes of Pride, Bullish Luck, Elvstroem etc over the last few years.
No real giants in here, but a classy field nonethe less, should be an interesting race.[B]

1/B 3142-6 Bellamy Cay <a href=“http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"”,"/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=1093&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">A Fabre 5 8-11 <a href=“http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"”,"/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=75499&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29"> S Pasquier

[B]2[/B](2)   052-32   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=617459&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Oracle West[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=11054&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">M F De Kock</a>             6   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=82445&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          W C Marwing</a>       
     
   [B]3[/B](3)   251-25   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=605320&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Laverock[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=9546&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">Saeed Bin Suroor</a>             5   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=79582&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          Kerrin McEvoy</a>       
     
   [B]4[/B](4)   053-51   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=576155&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Vengeance Of Rain[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=11050&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">D Ferraris</a>             7   8-11t            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=74994&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          A Delpech</a>       
     
   [B]5[/B](5)   22231-   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=643654&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Red Rocks[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=7221&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">B J Meehan</a>             4   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=9593&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          C Nakatani</a>       
     
   [B]6[/B](6)   2631-6   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=620631&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Best Alibi[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=9546&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">Saeed Bin Suroor</a>             4   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=2277&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          L Dettori</a>       
     
   [B]7[/B](7)   1/217-   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=637859&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Sir Percy[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=12125&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">M P Tregoning</a>             4   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=11255&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          Martin Dwyer</a>       
     
   [B]8[/B](8)   222-31   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=644222&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Obrigado[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=4514&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">N Drysdale</a>             4   8-11tv            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=10477&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          D Flores</a>       
     
   [B]9[/B](9)   132-71   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=671318&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Sushisan[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=17984&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">H J Brown</a>             5   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=76841&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          K Shea</a>       
     
   [B]10[/B](10)   1722-2   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=666889&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Pop Rock[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=15111&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">Katsuhiko Sumii</a>             6   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=10162&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          O Peslier</a>       
     
   [B]11[/B](11)   32111-   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=539378&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Collier Hill[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=12188&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">G A Swinbank</a>             9   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=78&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          Dean McKeown</a>       
     
   [B]12[/B](12)   11-111   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=661610&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Quijano[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=12816&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">P Schiergen</a>             5   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=10322&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          A Starke</a>       
     
   [B]13[/B](13)   91121-   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=640786&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Youmzain[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=4676&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">M R Channon</a>             4   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=3793&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          Richard Hughes</a>       
     
   [B]14[/B](14)   1413-2   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=595025&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Honey Ryder[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=10697&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">T Pletcher</a>             6   8-7b            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=10540&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          G K Gomez</a>       
     
   [B]15[/B](15)   [B]9[/B]/84-2   <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28%27%27,%27/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=597679&race_id=428642%27,800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">[B]Host[/B]</a>              <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/trainer_form.sd?trainer_id=10697&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">T Pletcher</a>             7   8-11            <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:OWSize%28"","/horses/jockey_form.sd?jockey_id=10766&code=Flat",800,480,%27no%27,%27yes%27,%27yes%27%29">          J R Velazquez</a>

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;2319494]
Dubai World Cup (Gr.1)
Age : 4 yo+ (NH) - 3 yo+ (SH)
Distance : 2000m/10f
Surface : Dirt
Purse (US$) : 6,000,000[/QUOTE]

… and then there were just seven! DRF: Argentine star out of World Cup

Storm Mayor did not ship well from South America and will not race.

So remaining are

Kandidate (GB)
Discreet Cat (USA)
Bullish Luck (USA)
Invasor (Arg)
Forty Licks (Arg)
Vermilion (Jpn)
Premium Tap (USA)

Reinforcing the point that Drvmb1ggl3 made in a prior thread that Lava Man’s connection would have been far more wise - financially - to have opted for this race. Even a lack luster performance (which we hope is not the case) in Duabi would’ve guaranteed a solid paycheck.

[Glimmerglass]

@Drvmb1ggl3;2319494

Godolphin Mile (Gr. 2)
Age : 4 yo+ (NH) - 3 yo+ (SH)
Distance : 1600m/8f
Surface : Dirt
Purse (US$) : 1,000,000

Blatant was withdrawn from the $1 million Godolphin Mile “because of a physical ailment.”

[Glimmerglass]

Invasor moves to being the betting favorite …

UK - The Mirror 3/28/07 “Frankie Purring Over Cat’s hope”

"We did a more serious piece over a mile, with a lead horse, two weeks ago and he was very good that day, moving well and very relaxed. “Invasor is a serious opponent, but I am more than happy with my horse - bring him on!”

But punters don’t share the Italian’s confidence. After a welter of support, Coral yesterday cut Invasor to 5-4 favourite (from 13-8) to gain his revenge on Discreet Cat, who was pushed out to 11-8 (from 5-4).

“We took a string of four figure bets on Invasor this morning which was in stark contrast to the lack of punter interest in Discreet Cat,” said the Barkingfirm’s Simon Clare.

“Invasor’s connections have been publicly bullish about his chance, whereas all kinds of negative rumours and tittle-tattle have been circulating about Discreet Cat.”

Sportinglife.com 3/28/07 “Cat Team Ready to Pounce”

And although Invasor’s team insist the ex-Argentine horse is a completely different proposition to the one faced 12 months ago, Crisford also believes Discreet Cat is in the best shape of his life for a first outing over 10 furlongs.

“As a physical specimen he’s definitely matured,” Crisford added.

“As a two-year-old he [Discreet Cat] still had a lot of development to make, even though he had run well. We basically handled him very carefully and tried not to rush him and put him in hard races too early in his career, but he has continued to progress both physically and mentally throughout the last 12 months.”

Trackwork Report for March 27, 2007

They have categories for (on tapeta) Fast Work, Open Canter, Hack Canter; (on turf) Fast Work, Hack Canter

[Impromptu]

From Racing Post:

FRANKIE DETTORI admits he does not know what to expect when he partners Discreet Cat in a race for the first time since last year’s UAE Derby in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup.

The unbeaten four-year-old was put through a light workout at Godolphin’s Al Quoz stables on Wednesday morning and despite the delight of connections at how preparations for the $6million showdown have gone, Dettori himself knows that can count for little once the stalls open on the night.

“So far he’s done really well but what he’s going to be like on the night, I don’t know,” he said.

"I haven’t ridden him (in a race) since last year but he’s done extremely well over the winter, he’s trained well, he’s fit and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

"We have a plan but we’ll have to see what happens in the stalls on the day. Every World Cup is different and we ride the race according to the circumstances. We haven’t got a plan set in stone, so we’ll see how it works out.

“But he’s a true champion, you cannot fail to be excited when you ride him, and he’s strengthened up since last year.”

A rematch with 2006 US Horse of the Year Invasor, whom Discreet Cat blitzed by seven lengths in the UAE Derby last year, has proved the main focus for many.

But Dettori stressed it was not just a two-horse race, with Clive Brittain’s Kandidate and American five-year-old Premium Tap among the challengers in the seven-strong field, the smallest ever to contest a Dubai World Cup.

“This year’s race is a better race than last year,” he added.

"There’s three dirt champions (including Premium Tap) and it’s going to be a great race to watch.

"It’s a small but select field, there’s some very good horses, it is the World Cup and everybody’s there to win.

"We’re taking nothing for granted, the horses are there in their own right and we have to respect them - as to what happens on the night, we’ll have to see.

“Invasor’s the champion, he’s won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and take nothing away from him, but we’re very pleased with our horse, he’s done nothing wrong, he’s unbeaten, preparations have gone well, and we’re going to go out there positive and give it a go.”

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor is also quietly confident as the colt has impressed in all his lead-up work.

“He’s coming on really well,” he said.

"He had a one-mile spin and looked really good. Last Monday was his last work and we were really happy with it.

“Last year he was a little bit keen in the mornings, which could affect his work, but this year he’s a bitmore relaxed and going about his business in a more confident way.”

Racing manager Simon Crisford revealed the decision to pull Discreet Cat out of his intended prep run earlier this month was due to an ultra-cautious approach, but that it had not proved too much of a hindrance.

“Everything has to be perfect with a horse like this because you can’t afford to take chances,” Crisford said.

"We haven’t been around too many horses like this one.

"He had a slightly elevated temperature and it was very marginal but it was enough, so we took the safety route.

"It was inconvenient, it meant he didn’t have a prep run for the richest race in the world. He’s been off for a long time and even if it’s to knock the freshness out of him, you always want to get him on the racetrack beforehand.

“We went down to Nad Al Sheba twice, didn’t do anything to strenuous because we didn’t need to, gave him an easy breeze and he was very impressive on both occasions.”

And although Invasor’s team insist the ex-Argentine horse is a completely different proposition to the one faced 12 months ago, Crisford also believes Discreet Cat is in the best shape of his life for a first outing over 10 furlongs.

“As a physical specimen he’s definitely matured,” Crisford added. "As a two-year-old he still had a lot of development to make, even though he had run well. We basically handled him very carefully and tried not to rush him and put him in hard races too early in his career, but he hascontinued to progress both physically and mentally throughout the last 12 months.

“He’s developed into a fantastic colt. Physically he’s stronger, and mentally he’s definitely grown up to the extent whereby he’s very alert, and you saw this morning that he’s really on his game.”

[Glimmerglass]

Positions for the big one

The big guy gets the outside post

Post positions selected today for the $6-million Dubai World Cup, with jockeys, are:

1—Discreet Cat, L. Dettori
2—Vermilion, C. Lemaire
3—Bullish Luck, B. Prebble
4—Kandidate, S. Sanders
5—Premium Tap, K. Desormeaux
6—Forty Licks, M. Kinane
7–Invasor, F. Jara

[Glimmerglass]

No comments on the WC race? Seriously this is going to be the biggest race of the year for non-3-yr olds until at least the BC Classic.

DRF “Discreet Cat, Invasor at opposite ends”

The team from Godolphin, Discreet Cat’s owners, aren’t giving up their strategy, but the inside draw could force Dettori to use more of Discreet Cat’s ample speed than originally planned. Kandidate is expected to have early pace, and Vermillion also could to be involved in a front-end skirmish. Discreet Cat has been right on top of extremely fast early fractions in some of his races, but has relaxed behind leaders in others - at least briefly. Discreet Cat tends to have a target for the first quarter-mile or so, at which point he can hold back no longer, moving inexorably toward the front.

“If my horse sits somewhere in the middle, has good position, and relaxes, he’s got a great chance,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor said.

The draw was held Wednesday evening at the Johara Ballroom of the Madinat Jumeirah Souk, a large, lavishly appointed convention and meeting center located on Jumeirah Beach adjacent to the Burj Al Arab, which bills itself as the world’s only seven-star hotel. But like post-position draws across the world, Wednesday’s was geared more to pomp than importance, with special attention being paid to the local sponsors of all seven of Saturday night’s races. Prior to the six Thoroughbred races, there is a race for Arabians.

At the core of the evening’s activity lay about five minutes worth of substance, as representatives from each World Cup entrant went stage-ward to choose a sparkling globe with a number, the horse’s post position, affixed to it.

[Glimmerglass]

Plan: Invasor to stalk the Cat

SportingLife 3-28 "Big Guns Happy With Cup Draw

Arch-rival Invasor, meanwhile, was drawn at the opposite end of the starting gate at seven, much to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s delight.

[b]“We’re happy we’re drawn outside and not inside so we can keep out of trouble,” he said.

“The plan is for us to sit back there and start pulling him up when they head for home, but if the pace is slower he’ll be closer.”[/b]

[Arctic_Cielo]

Will it be televised?

[Linny]

It will be aired on tape on ABC, which is covering the FLA Derby on Sat.

[Linny]

From Michele MacDonald on the World Cup Blog:
The Nad al Sheba quarantine area was buzzing Wednesday morning after Godolphin jockey Frankie Dettori paid an impromptu visit to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn so that he could check out his mount’s main competition in the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1).

Dettori, who will ride undefeated Discreet Cat, went into the stall of 2006 American Horse of the Year Invasor to get a look at how much that McLaughlin-trained rival has filled out since the two horses tangled in last year’s UAE Derby (Gr.2).
The jovial McLaughlin, who knows Dettori well since both have spent many winters racing in Dubai with the Maktoum family, told the jockey that he better take a close look at Invasor’s head.
After all, McLaughlin asserted with a big smile, the only part of Invasor that Dettori will be seeing in the Dubai World Cup is his long black tail.
Onlookers reported that the usually glib Dettori had no immediate comeback.

[TouchstoneAcres]

I was surprised when Lava Man was said to be heading to Dubai, and not surprised now that he isn’t. I have heard he doesn’t travel well and likes to stay put in CA.–Oh I see he entered the Duty Free. Well I hope he breaks his away losing streak!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

@Glimmerglass;2320866

… and then there were just seven! DRF: Argentine star out of World Cup

Storm Mayor did not ship well from South America and will not race.

That’s quite the bummer, I was really looking forward to seeing how he stacked up against top international company. Some of the rumblings coming out of Arg were hinting that he might be the next Invasor. Of course we’ll probably here that comparison about a lot of Argie breds for a while.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

@Glimmerglass;2323596

No comments on the WC race? Seriously this is going to be the biggest race of the year for non-3-yr olds until at least the BC Classic.

DRF “Discreet Cat, Invasor at opposite ends”

It’s a pity that it’s shaping up to be a just a two horse race. But still, the Maktoum vs Maktoum, US-based v Dubai-based angle is pretty cool, so I’m suprised people aren’t more stoked about it.

[Glimmerglass]

I think many who are just fixated on Discreet Cat and Invasor are overlooking to their detriment Premium Tap. What else can that horse do to impress folks? He has been winning in great form and is a serious contender for Sat should there be so much as even a slight disruption to the two giants.

As an aside, I thought his Royal Saudi owners changed his name or am I mistaken?

I’ll be waiting to hear Kenny Mayne do his "Eeen-va-sore, because he is the best " routine on Saturday

To get folks in the mood a fun video:

youtube.com ‘Invasor’ (by Carly Kaiser) runtime 4:23

(Although I would’ve chosen the extended dance remix of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina by Madonna instead)

[Glimmerglass]

The past performances of the World Cup entries: here in pdf format

Jerry Bailey is giving the nod to Discreet Cat. If he had his choice of rides the five-time World Cup champion jock would take DC.

More regarding Premium Tap - from 3-29 "Tap in Full Flow at Nad al Sheba "

Although composed and appearing in top condition, Premium Tap swished his tail repeatedly during his restrained gallop.

“He really wanted to do a little more than he was doing,” said smiling trainer John Kimmel, who, like his horse, arrived in Dubai on Wednesday just before the post position draw. “I’m pleased with him. You’re not going to get any excuses from my camp.”

Kimmel has warned observers who have been describing the Dubai World Cup primarily as a match between American Horse of the Year Invasor and Godolphin’s undefeated Discreet Cat not to overlook Premium Tap, who has been training for the past month in Saudi Arabia.

[Glimmerglass]

TV coverage Saturday

ABC Sports will broadcast the Dubai World Cup from Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on tape-delay of about 1-hour from the actual post time. (HRTV will cover the full day live) The show is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. eastern - it will feature in addition to the WC the $2 million UAE Derby, also on tape delay.

Will the race be on live via the internet? I know the Dubai Racing Club makes past performances available on line but I don’t see for now an option to watch it live. European betting/punter outlets might carry it but “taping into” that internet signal generally requires having been a registered account holder with a Euro-based credit card.

As an aside, also on Saturday the solid if not very impressive line up for the Florida Derby will be covered on HRTV as well as (in a first) in joint partnership with NBCSports.com

This is the first live streaming Webcast of a Grade I stakes race on the Web site of a major broadcast network. That will be on-line from 5:15 to 5:40 p.m. eastern

[Barnfairy]

Jerry Bailey is giving the nod to Discreet Cat. If he had his choice of rides the five-time World Cup champion jock would take DC.

Ooh, it’s hard to go against JB, but I’m sticking with Eenvasorrrr. He ees the best.