Free picks, PPs: Thursday's Dubai World Cup Carnival races
The fifth card of Meydan's Dubai World Cup Carnival runs Thursday with multiple stakes on the docket and the return of a familiar name for American racing fans, Gladiator King, in the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) after the 4-year-old colt won his local debut.
Thanks to picks by Racing TV handicapper Angus McNae, you can play along. Plus, see free past performances for the seven-race card below.
First post time is 9:30 a.m. ET, with Dubai racing airing on TVG. Good luck!
RELATED: Play Dubai races on DerbyWars!
McNae's Top 4 picks below...
Race 2 (10:05 a.m. ET) – Barney Roy in the Al Rashidiya (G2)
This formerly classy 3-year-old makes his debut in a weak-looking Al Rashidiya. If ready to fire, he will take a fair bit of the money. Earlier in his career, finished second in the 2000 Guineas to Churchill and then won the St. James’s Palace Stakes. After missing 2018, he won a Listed race at Longchamp before going off favorite for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, where he ran poorly. He has not been seen since, but this could just be the environment that will allow him to thrive.
Race 3 (10:40 a.m. ET) – Universal Order in the Meydan Cup
I was really impressed with this horse when he won at the beginning of the year, and he can go in again here. He showed a sharp turn of foot to win that day having been held up off the pace in a slowly run race. A five-pound rise in the handicap underestimates his superiority that day. This step up in trip will be no problem, and his hold-up style and change of gear is perfect for this turf track. He has had 28 days to get over his exertions and thus should avoid the dreaded bounce. He looks certain to go well here.
Race 6 (12:25 p.m.) – Drafted in the Al Shindagha Sprint (G2)
This grand dirt sprinter can win the Al Shindagha sprint and in so doing reverse recent form with Gladiator King. Drafted looked a little rusty on his comeback , getting a bit farther behind than usual before making an effort in the straight before flattening out late. He will be much sharper for the run and will have to be to beat the progressive-looking Gladiator King, who appeared to be an awkward type when winning last time, when he refused to change his lead in the straight. In stall five, Drafted can get an out of the kickback, and I’m hoping he will surge late to success here.
Race 7: 1 p.m.) – First Nation in the Jebel Ali Port
I think this horse might well have won last time out with a clear run. He was, as is typical, slowly away before making a move in the home straight, where he was hampered and had to wait for a run. Once in the clear he stayed on strongly and can be rated as the narrow winner of the race. He was beaten by Certain Lad and Simsir, who re-oppose here. Certain Lad is a bounce candidate in my opinion and Simsir, though eye-catching, surely wants farther. First Nation does have a poor draw in post 16; that said, he is a hold up horse anyway, and William Buick will be able to drop him in and ride him to finish off his race strongly. He has a previous win here and can add to that.