Meydan Saturday March 25th

[Kitan]

Race 1 (Goldophin Mile):
#13 Kafuji Take: Dynamics of the race set up for this fast closing runner. Best form is at 7f but was only beaten by a length in G1s at 8f and 9f. Can argue that he's been keeping the best company and is a huge overlay at double digit odds. The dirt track was heavily biased to front runners on the earlier preview days and have to believe they'll be hard pressed to make it more fair for this card.
#6 Sharp Azteca: Navarro just missed getting a win on the card last year and this speedster is unbeaten at a one-turn mile. If he runs like he did last year on Derby day he'll be tough to run down.
#7 North America: Has been the local star of the carnival after switching to dirt. This is the toughest he's faced to date and has never seen pressure from the likes of #6.
#5 Second Summer: G2 winner at SA last year ran poorly in his last start, but if you can look past that he's another that can outrun his odds.
#8's resurgence has come from the front end…good luck with that here.

Race 3 (Gold Cup):
#4 Wall of Fire: On top for value reasons. Looks an out an out stayer and his only "poor" performance at an extended distance was when he was severely hampered in the final furlong. Only a 4yo so he gets 6lbs and has a lot of room to have progressed over the winter.
#3 Vazirabad: Last year's winner (against a weaker group) is as consistent as they come over this distance and will be tough to beat.
#12 Heartbreak City
#1 Sheikhzayedroad

Race 4 (UAE Derby):
#10 Epicharis: Watched him hit the line strongly in Japan last out and is a good price at 5-1.
#6 Fawree: Really well bred on the bottom (dam is a KY Oaks winner) and was the hot favourite when unseating the rider at the start last time. A big step up from his lone maiden win but de Kock knows how to win this race.
#13 Thunder Snow: Another with a solid pedigree (2 sibs G1 placed including one who won the UAE Oaks albeit on AWT) and has backed that up by winning locally as well as a G1 last season. Beat a weak field containing the same type of horses #6 was favoured against.
#16 Adirato: Led a long way before being run down gamely by my top pick here. Will have to go from the widest gate (see if the early races were speed dominant) and is unbelievably around 30/40-1 on most overseas totes.
#12 is also worth a look. Sib was a decent dirt 3yo in 2012, although he was by Street Sense and this one War Front.

Race 5 (Al Quoz Sprint):
#1 Amazing Kids: Two time winner down the straight 1000m in HK but also has five wins at 1200m (around a bend). HK sprint form usually holds up everywhere and to get around 10-1 with Moreira up is huge.
#6 Ertijaal: Knows this course inside and out.
#11 Limato: Double G1 sprint winner last year gets back to a more suitable distance here.
#2 Medicean Man

Race 6 (Golden Shaheen):
#1 Stallwalkin' Dude: Salutos Amigos ran great here a couple years ago after completely blowing the start so I won't rule out Jacobson snatching one. This one has never been elite per se but is consistent, has handled deep tracks (SAR/LRL), and will be solid at around 10-1. Looks to get the perfect trip from the inside draw.
#11 St. Joe Bay: Is coming off G3/G2 wins but those were against weak/small fields. Has Cali speed, however, and may just be improving at the right time.
#4 Dundonnell: Has shown he can handle the surface (e.g. giving weight two back) and his last was better than it looks---he's a closer that sat second pressing the leader (and winner) from the inside. Just hasn't won in a few years.
#12 Reynaldothewizard: 11yo still knows how to run big and should be in the exotics mix.

Race 7 (Dubai Turf):
#3 Heshem: Has only ran poorly once and reversed the tables two back against #2 while giving 5lbs. Think he'll appreciate the cutback to 9f and 20-1 looks juicy.
#2 Zarak: Colt by a champion mare wasn't able to claim a top prize as a 3yo behind the smart Almanzor but the signs point for it to come this season. Already notched a local win (weak field) and is the deserved favourite.
#12 Deauville: In both tries stateside he had hit the lead by the furlong pole so I think the 9f will be okay. Double digit odds seem high for a runner who has every right to improve from 3 to 4yo.
#6 Mutakayyef: Never out of the money in 14 runs and finished his 5yo campaign with some strong runs in solid company.
#1 also rates a chance but I'm just wondering about him going 9f around a bend.

Race 8 (Sheema Classic):
#3 Highland Reel: If he returns in the same form he was in as a 4yo he'll be very hard to beat.
#4 Sounds of Earth: Stalkers (2/3/4) dominated the last while he was rating near the tail. 2nd in the Japan Cup previous to that and the small field should be to his advantage.
#7 Postponed: Got caught in a pocket last out but still feel as if he was as good as he was last year he should have won once getting a clear run.
#2 Jack Hobbs

Race 9 (World Cup):
#9 Arrogate
#5 Gun Runner
#7 Awardee
#13 Special Fighter

Good luck!

[taxicab]

1) TRIPLE NINE- Tightened in the DWC prep,better fit class wise here.
Ross- Last BTL.
Kafuj Take- Touch of class.

3) HEARTBREAK CITY- Who doesn't love a jumper who moonlights running 2nd a head in the Melbourne Cup.....?
Big Orange- Loves the 16th Furlong.
Kingfisher.......He's on the Coolmore jet for a reason.

4) EPICHARIS- Should feel right at home near the Arabian Desert........after all he ate more dirt than most deserts contain in his last.........and still won.
Thunder Snow-Kentucky Derby contender.
Lancaster Bomber......Sired by War Front,second to a monster in his last.

5) FINSBURY SQUARE- Ignore the purse in his last.......the race served a purpose.
Washington Dc- Coolmore Colt a close second.
Amazing Kids- World Class Jock......World Class Sprinter.

6) COMICAS- Had no chance against bias in last.......still ran on nicely.
Murrab- Rebound to order today,no chance in last.
Wild Dude- Can come on for third money.

7) VIVLOS- Tighter today,might gather up a trip.
Mutakayyef- All heart,classy......never fails to fire.
Debt Collector- Singapore gelding is as tough as nails.

8) HIGHLAND REEL- Best bet........never seems to get enough credit.
Seventh Heaven- Coolmore knows when to run the Fillies against the boys.
Prize Money- Likes the desert.

9) GUN RUNNER- Thrives on racing,is actually getting better.
Gold Dream- Bombs away.......sneak play.
Arrogate- World Class......

[ADJMK]

Nice pick in r7. Key him with Kitan's top pick in the exotics and they would have had to back the truck up.