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Originally Posted by jaripeo
SORRY CHULA, TO MUCH GUESS FOR ME. I WISH COULD HELP YOU, BUT.........
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That's okay, someday (maybe) I'll remember!
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DRC...
American squad readying for Tuesday takeoff
Idiot Proof is one of 14 American challengers due to fly to Dubai this week (copyright Jessica Denver/Equi-Photo)
As many as 14 of America’s best horses are set to fly from the United States to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday prior to competing on the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program.
Two of the more interesting prospects — Grade 1 winner Idiot Proof, who will race in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News, and Massive Drama, who will try to make history as the first American-based winner of the $2 million UAE Derby (Gr.2), sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group — posted workouts on Saturday.
Idiot Proof, who set a Santa Anita Park record for six furlongs (about 1,200 meters) in 1:07.57 when winning the Ancient Title Stakes (Gr.1) last fall and who has finished second and third in two stakes starts this year, worked an easy six furlongs in 1:15, handily, at Santa Anita for trainer Clifford Sise Jr. The workout time by the four-year-old son of Benchmark was 12th fastest of 15 at the distance.
Massive Drama went the same distance at Gulfstream Park in 1:15.60 for new trainer Dale Romans, who took over from Bob Baffert when owner Ahmed Zayat decided to move his horses away from California's synthetic racing surfaces. The time was third fastest of five at the distance.
“He finished strong and did just what we wanted him to do,” said Romans. “We wanted to get him one good tightener before we ship.”
Since his previous Dubai travel and training plan worked to perfection with 2005 Dubai World Cup winner Roses in May, Romans said he will stick to the same basic scenario for Massive Drama, a burly colt by Kafwain.
“We’re not doing anything different,” Romans said. “All the advice we got going over there with Roses in May was get all your training done before you get over there. That’s what today’s work was all about.”
Massive Drama is one of seven horses slated to fly out of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Florida on Tuesday evening, while an equal number have been booked for a flight leaving Los Angeles International Airport that afternoon, according to shipping company Mersant International Ltd. Both flights are due to stop for refueling at Stansted Airport in England before reaching Dubai on Wednesday night.
Also on the Florida flight will be A. P. Arrow, who will try to win the $6 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates, for the heirs of the late Allen Paulson, who bred and raced inaugural Dubai World Cup winner Cigar; Grade 1 winners Better Talk Now and Benny the Bull, who are targeting the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by Nakheel, and the Dubai Golden Shaheen, respectively; Grade 2 winner Diamond Stripes, who will run in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (Gr.2), sponsored by Etisalat, along with fellow shipper Barcola, a three-time stakes winner; and Esperamos, who will take a five-race win streak into the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Leaving from California along with Idiot Proof will be Dubai World Cup contenders Well Armed and Great Hunter; speedsters Barbecue Eddie and Bushwacker, both candidates for the Dubai Golden Shaheen; and Grade 2 winner Spring House, who is pointing to the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Grade 2 winner Notional also has a reservation on the California flight, but trainer Doug O’Neill has indicated that he is not inclined to send the four-year-old colt for the Godolphin Mile, for which the son of In Excess has been invited. O’Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam, who also owns Great Hunter and Barcola, are hoping for a late invitation to the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1), sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.
The most famous and most accomplished of the American runners, Horse of the Year Curlin, has been training in Dubai since late February for his brush with destiny in the Dubai World Cup.