Switzerland 'the right kind of horse' for Asmussen in Dubai

Trainer Steve Asmussen is confident that Switzerland will represent his powerful stable well on Thursday at Meydan. In what is the conditioner’s second start of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival, following the off-the-board finish of Tone Broke in last week’s Al Bastakiya Trial, he brings an accomplished and impeccably swift sprinter into the $200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint (G3).

“It’s a good spot for him,” Asmussen said. “I hope he handles the circumstances of the race and runs well. That’s what we’re expecting. I’m very pleased with how he shipped over there and Carlos (Rosas, assistant and exercise rider) thought he worked great over the racetrack.

“It all came together,” he continued. “He’s the right kind of horse to send to Dubai. I think international racing is the direction all horse racing is going and we’re glad to be a part of it.

“I don’t think Tone Broke ran his race the other day. We’ll have to figure that out.”

Switzerland has a pair of Grade 3 wins going the same 1200m dirt distance of Thursday’s race, including a dominant win in the DeFrancis Dash at Laurel Park in the fall and equally as smart victory in the Maryland Sprint in the spring. Owned by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, he enters off two losses, including a third last out on Nov. 22 in Fair Grounds’ Thanksgiving Handicap as the top weight.

To be successful on Thursday, Switzerland must best two other speedsters in defending champ My Catch and dual Argentine Group 2 winner Tato Key, while also overcoming a bad habit of being slowly from the stalls. He must also hold off well-regarded Garhoud Sprint winner Drafted.

Asmussen, who has a win (Curlin) and a second (Gun Runner) in the Dubai World Cup among his local accomplishments, nominated 10 horses to the Dubai World Cup card on Mar. 30.

“They have dates before then, but hopefully they put it all together in order to send some to Dubai,” he said.

His nominations include Grade 2-winning Winchell Thoroughbreds color-bearers Copper Bullet and classic-placed Tenfold, who are both nominated to the Dubai World Cup (G1), while the former is also nominated to the Godolphin Mile (G2).

Switzerland, Mitole and New York Central are nominated to the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), with New York Central also nominated to the Godolphin Mile and Al Quoz Sprint (G1). Other nominations include Snapper Sinclair in the Godolphin Mile and For the Top, Comedian an Takhvin Flew joining Tone Broke among the UAE Derby (G2).