5 Americans likely for Dubai World Cup; see the field

Similar to American racetracks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Meydan will contest Dubai World Cup night on March 28 behind closed doors. In it, five Americans are expected to contest the $12 million main event.

Likely fields were listed Wednesday by the Dubai Racing Club led by the 1-2 finishers of last year's Belmont Stakes, Sir Winston and Tacitus.

Mark Casse-trained Sir Winston exits a winning Aqueduct allowance as his springboard back to the highest level, while Tacitus most recently finished fifth in another lucrative Middle Eastern event, the $20 million Saudi Cup.

Other U.S.-based horses in the prospective Dubai World Cup field are the Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Mucho Gusto, Grade 1 winner Math Wizard and War Story, the veteran gelding who has tried America's biggest races but is heading overseas for the first time.

They'll all be out to defeat Godolphin's Benbatl, the home favorite who has run nearly all his career on turf, switching recently to dirt. That includes a third in the Saudi Cup that prevented U.S. trainees from sweeping all of the top spots.

As for other American runners expected on the card...

• $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1): United.

• $2.5 million Golden Shaheen (G1): Captain Scotty, Imperial Hint, Killybegs Captain and Truck Salesman.

• $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2): Fore Left, Rowdy Yates, Shotski, Tizamagician and Wrecking Crew.

• $2 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1): Blitzkrieg, Ghoul, Texas Wedge and Wildman Jack.

• $1.5 million Godolphin Mile (G2): Gray Magician, Parsimony.

Other events on the card are the $6 million Dubai Turf (G1) and $1.5 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2), also on the lawn.

Of note, the Pegasus World Cup runner-up and recent Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) winner Mr Freeze didn't ship this week as expected.

Get a full look at the prospective fields below...