Looks as if the Asians did really well yesterday. The Japanese won 4 races on the day, including The Duty Free, and a Horse from Hong Kong won the Sheema Classic.
The World Cup had horses from all over the racing world. What a great day for the sport.
So when will Invasor be retired to stud? Tomorrow? 
I only count 2 Asian winners, Vengeance of Rain (HK) and Admire Moon (JPN) while Dubai’s Sh Hamdan won the DWC, the US won 2 with Spring at Last and Kelly’s Landing while So. African trained but So. American bred Asiatic Boy won the UAE Derby.
Throat abscess blamed for Discreet Cat’s poor performance:
http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/07/04/01/RACING_Cat_Lead.html
[QUOTE=vineyridge;2333484]
So when will Invasor be retired to stud? Tomorrow? :)[/QUOTE]
Thnakfully the game plan from the owners to the trainer: repeat the Breeders’ Cup victory!
INVASOR TEAM TARGET BREEDERS’ CUP
SportingLife.com April 1, 2007
Kiaran McLaughlin is eyeing a second Breeders’ Cup victory with Invasor following his triumph in the Dubai World Cup.
The five-year-old took last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs and McLaughlin is keen to bid for a repeat at Monmouth Park in November.
“This horse was always special and the build-up (to Dubai) went so well,” said McLaughlin on Sunday.
“He looks fine this morning and we will ship back and look towards the Breeders’ Cup again, hopefully.”
Invasor notched his 11th win from 12 starts in the 10-furlong Nad Al Sheba feature, eventually seeing off fellow American raider Premium Tap after an exciting battle up the straight.
Linny, I saw this quote in a story on the Bloodhorse site and misconstrued what the writer was trying to say.
It was a fourth World Cup night win for the Japanese
Thought perhaps they had an undercard of lesser races. Maybe “in history” is what is supposed to be conveyed.
WooHoo Invasor!!!
Is it my imagination or was the bold lad sorta under wraps at the first, then just a finger release and off he went? In the picture that Glimmer posted he hardly looks like he’s breathing hard??
What a horse!
Kim
[QUOTE=willowoodstables;2335222]
In the picture that Glimmer posted he hardly looks like he’s breathing hard?[/QUOTE]
I watched the race over again a few times, he truly was in full control of the race. Clearly when he looks into Premium Tap’s eyes and the jets off Invasor was ready to pour it on and by no means hitting a wall with energy. It was widely observed in Dubai last week while exercising that he was an entirely different horse then last year. Bigger, stronger, bolder and more determined in his workouts.
He reaffirmed as to why he’d already been ranked the number one horse in the world in 2007 so far.
INVASOR, he is the BEST! But I wish they would retire him before he is injured. He is too nice a horse, and with his sire gone, it seems a good time to quit while you are ahead.
I remember Izvestia (1989?)…they wanted just that one last race. He never made that finish line, it was a terrible loss.
Equidaily.com has noted a few articles in the Middle East press on the ride by Fernando Jara on Invasor.
I’m not too keen on the criticism leveled at Jara from Shaikh Hamdan. It was not like he was doing something silly in the saddle. He looked back to see if Discreet Cast was launching - not flashing a wave to fans. The replay shows it was no big deal and certainly not worth taking the jock to task over.
Perhaps I watched another race when this commentary is made regarding Jara’s actions:
…[he] unnecessarily eased the horse once he went strike for strike with Premium Tap, otherwise he could have won more impressively.
More impressively? I’m sure Invasor could’ve stopped after the run and made drinks for everyone too. Come on what did they want 1 1/4 mi in 1:57 flat?
I’m not too keen on the criticism leveled at Jara from Shaikh Hamdan. It was not like he was doing something silly in the saddle. He looked back to see if Discreet Cast was launching - not flashing a wave to fans. The replay shows it was no big deal and certainly not worth taking the jock to task over.
Agreed 100%. I think it only natural that Jara might have been wondering at the time “Where the heck is Discreet Cat?” and double checking to make sure DC wasn’t in a blind spot.
The Asian shippers won 2 last year and another 2 this year. Now it makes sense to me.
in response to Sheikh Hamdans criticism of Jara
to everyone talking about Sheikh Hamdans critcism of Jara it is rubbish. That article was written by an Indian journalist who misinterpret what Sheikh Hamdan said. The article itself circulated more than what was expected and the major magazines over here have agreed not to print it or give it any type of press because it is so far from the truth
[QUOTE=ssuspicionxc;2343064]
to everyone talking about Sheikh Hamdans critcism of Jara it is rubbish. That article was written by an Indian journalist who misinterpret what Sheikh Hamdan said. The article itself circulated more than what was expected and the major magazines over here have agreed not to print it or give it any type of press because it is so far from the truth[/QUOTE]
Not sure where “here” is for you, but to be accurate the one cited article was in the “local” press of UAE/Duabi.
Agreed the issue is largely moot as The Daily Racing Form for Apr 4th cites the following:
Sheikh Hamdan not upset with Jara
Despite Invasor’s brilliant victory in the World Cup, two overseas newspapers quoted the colt’s owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum, as being critical of jockey Fernando Jara’s ride. But McLaughlin said that is not the case.
One paper quoted Hamdan as being upset by Jara’s looking back at certain points in the race. A second paper quoted Hamdan as being upset with Jara for apparently easing up on Invasor, thus allowing Premium Tap an opportunity to come back at him in the stretch.
McLaughlin said Hamdan told Rick Nichols, the racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stable, that he was misquoted and that he was not critical of Jara in any way.
“Sheikh Hamdan was [not] upset; he doesn’t even know where that came from,’’ McLaughlin said. “He was full of praise of Fernando’s ride and tickled to death for the great victory.”
(Asdie, The DRF failed to include the “not” as I did in brackets with Kiaran’s remark)
It still seems a bit odd as either Hamdan did or did not make a remark of disliking the look back. If he didn’t and is one of the chief rulers of the country, well you’d think he could get a retraction 
The 2007 race schedule for Invasor, all grade 1 races:
$400,000 Suburban at Belmont Park on June 30,
$500,000 Woodward at Saratoga on September 1 *
$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on Oct. 27.
*The Whitney on July 28 at Saratoga could be instead of the Woodward, if the Suburban turned out to be an easy race on Invasor.
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