Quick and Dirty Dubai World Cup Night Picks

Am I excited about the Dubai World Cup card? Let me answer it this way ... The eight big races carry a combined purse of $27 million. I say with my pinkie finger devilishly pointing to the corner of mouth. While the really big money is not available to us, the great card does provide many super betting propositions for us bettors to have a great day as well. I hope my selections do as well for you as I plan on them doing for me. 

 

Race 2 Godolphin Mile (8f, Tapeta, $1 million) 9:10am (All times Eastern)

 

African Story – The lightly raced five-year-old Godolphin charge loves the Tapeta surface at Meydan, and has never been better than he has of late in Dubai. A repeat effort of his last race will make him strictly the horse to beat in here as the likely favorite.  (7-2)

 

Race 3 Dubai Gold Cup (16F, Turf, $1 million) 9:45am 

 

Opinion Poll – Renews his rivalry with Fox Hunt in the longest race of the evening, and is the pick to turn the tables this time. The six-year-old proved to be one of the best marathoners going last year in England, and with a race under his belt, and the addition of Frankie Dettori in the saddle, should be ready to score (3-1)

 

Race 4 UAE Derby (9.5f, Tapeta, $2 million) 10:25am 

 

Mickdaam – The Irish bred Michael de Kock runner is probably unlucky not to be coming off a two race winning streak as he lacked room at a key point in the UAE Guineas, and then returned with a strong win over this trip. Unlike some of his top competition, the 1 3/16 seems to be right up the son of Dubawi’s alley. (8-1)

 

Race 5 Al Quoz Sprint (5f, Turf, $1 million) 11:00am

 

War Artist – The nine-year-old Aussie gelding may have not won in a while, but he has proven to be able to run in this class successfully before. Competitive against the best last summer in England, his one prep race was good enough to believe he may have one final upset in his old bones. (20-1)

 

Race 6 Golden Shaheen (6f, Tapeta, $2 million) 11:30am

 

Rocket Man – Speaking of talented Australian geldings, it’s hard not to love Rocket Man. The winner of 19 of 25 lifetime, shows no signs of slowing down now at the age of seven. Not sure what he beat in his prep in Singapore, but he has plenty of speed and class to win for the 20th time in his illustrious career. (9-2)

 

Race 7 Duty Free (9f, Turf, $5 million) 12:25pm

 

Musir – It’s hard to be too confident against the likes of Ambitious Dragon, but in Musir I have my bet of the day. Despite running into a buzzsaw last time, the classy six-year-old has been in excellent form this year in Dubai, and should find the nine furlongs and turf of the Duty Free his absolute perfect trip. If he is anywhere near his 10-1 morning line, he is more than worth a pop … or two. (10-1)

 

Race 8 Sheema Classic (12f, Turf, $5 million) 1:00pm

 

Treasure Beach – In a race that I like Aidan O’Brien’s two runners the best, I made the choice to go with the younger one mainly because of the odds. A solid performer on two continents last year as a sophomore, Treasure Beach can handle the distance, and with some improvement as an older horse, may just be able to upset the deserving favorite, St Nicholas Abbey. (20-1)

 

Race 9 Dubai World Cup (10f, Tapeta, $10 million) 1:40pm 

 

Capponi – I really wanted to pick one of the Americans, and in the end I almost did, but finally I decided to go with the one horse in the race who seems to be as sharp as can be at Meydan. Capponi would only need to seem to run back to his last performance to be the one to beat in here. As far as the strong U.S. pair, I have always felt that Game On Dude is better on dirt, while Royal Delta should be perfectly suited for the surface and distance. I almost picked her, but I am not yet convinced that she is quite this good. (8-1)

 

 

And for even more fun playing the Dubai World Cup card, visit Derby Wars for a pair of great games!