Casse: Sir Winston 'deserves a chance' in Dubai World Cup

Trainer Mark Casse is excited to see what Belmont Stakes hero Sir Winston can do in his first foray overseas, with the Tracy Farmer homebred leading 10 American invaders who arrived Wednesday afternoon at Meydan.

The son of Awesome Again denied fellow Dubai World Cup (G1) contender Tacitus — already on the grounds after his fifth-place run in the Saudi Cup — in the Belmont before an injury put him on the sidelines until late December.

Sir Winston returned with a non-effort in the Woodchopper Stakes over turf before an eye-catching allowance win Jan. 31 at Aqueduct. That day, he passed five horses in the stretch en route to a 2 ¼-length win and showed the same marked acceleration that won the Belmont. What made it even more impressive, despite against inferior opposition, was how well Sir Winston adapted to a distance well below his forte.

“He’s training extremely well,” Casse said. “His last race’s (speed figure) was even bigger than his Belmont win. I was hoping for a decent race and then to try to run him one more time going farther, but he ran so well, I decided that that was all. After her got hurt after the Belmont, he came back really well.

"Since his (January) run, he’s been working great. We didn’t really change the way we prepare him for this race. You dance with the one who brought you. We think he deserves a chance in the Dubai World Cup.”

Others to arrive with the classic winner were fellow Dubai World Cup runners Math Wizard and War Story; the Peter Miller-trained trio of Gray Magician (Godolphin Mile), Texas Wedge (Al Quoz Sprint) and Wrecking Crew (UAE Derby); as well as Shotski (UAE Derby), Killybegs Captain (Dubai Golden Shaheen) and the Richard Mandella-conditioned duo of United (Sheema Classic) and Tizamagician (UAE Derby).

The decade of competitors join 11 USA representatives already on the grounds — making for a record 21 likely American runners — including the aforementioned Tacitus and fellow Dubai World Cup contender Mucho Gusto. Others are Dubai Golden Shaheen runners Truck Salesman, Imperial Hint and Captain Scotty; UAE Derby runners Fore Left and Rowdy Yates; Godolphin Mile runner Parsimony and Al Quoz Sprint speedsters Wildman Jack, Ghoul and Blitzkrieg.