The Dubai Racing Carnival meeting at Meydan Racecourse on Friday features 3-year-olds chasing not only victory, but qualifying spots on Dubai World Cup Day and qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The $218,210 Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes – yes, that’s the name of the race formerly called the Al Bastakiya – is a Derby points qualifier for the first time, offering 20-10-6-4-2 points to the first five finishers.
The winner of the 1,900-meters (about 1 3/16 miles) race also earns a spot in the $1 million UAE Derby (G2) on March 2, a Kentucky Derby prep race with qualifying points of 100-60-30-15-10 to the top five finishers.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar, who has five of the likely 12 runners, sends out the likely favorite in Salloom, who redeemed himself after being withdrawn at the start of his intended debut in December with a win over 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) three weeks ago by 6 ¾ lengths.
“Salloom is doing great, and I think he came out of the last race really well,” said Seemar of the Kentucky-bred son of Authentic. “He’s ready to go again and take his chance, but I hope he behaves in the gate – that’s the biggest thing.”
The other Seemar trainees are Triple Crown nominees Lino Padrino and Omaha Front, along with Senator of the State and Watch Collector, who are currently not nominated.
There are two European entries, including the David Menuisier-trained Knight of Glory, sixth in the UAE 2000 Guineas last month.
“Knight Of Glory broke his maiden over a mile at Lingfield, and I was eager to run him in the Guineas Trial to teach him how to handle kickback,” Menuisier said. “The trip was far too short for him, but despite this he finished off his race really well, having been outpaced most of the way.”
The expected field for the Road to the Kentucky Derby: Salloom, Lino Padrino, Brotherly Love, Raajehh, Al Khawaneej, Omaha Front, Watch Collector, Duke of Immatin, Knight of Glory, Senator of State, Sary Shayan and Fire D’Oro.
The Derby prep is race 7 at Meydan with a post time of 1:10 p.m. ET.
The picks: 1 Knight of Glory 2 Lino Padrino 3 Salloom
The $250,000 UAE Oaks (G3) drew a field of seven 3-year-old fillies led by Labwah, winner of the Cocoa Beach Stakes last month, and the next three finishers in that race, Tjareed, Dozalla and Yuno.
The winner of the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16 miles) Oaks also earns a spot in the UAE Derby, a race open to males and females. In addition, the winner earns 50 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points and is all but assured of a spot in the race at Churchill Downs on May 1, which is unlikely, historically. The UAE Oaks also awards 25-15-10-5 points to the second-through-fifth place finishers.
“Labwah is super, there are only positives between her last run and Friday,” said trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. “She has a nice draw [1] and from there she can follow the pace, or lead, and I’m confident the extra 300 meters will be a plus, too.”
Labwah is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Charlatan and considered the top 3-year-old filly in the United Arab Emirates.
Tjareed, a daughter of Yaupon, has been consistent with two runner-up finishes this season and will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa. Dozalla is one of the more experienced in the field with two wins in four starts.
The rest of the field includes Yuno, Pretty and Famous, Auntie Fair and Dialed to Dubai.
The UAE Oaks is race 3 on the card, with a post time of 10:15 a.m. ET.
The picks: 1 Tjareed 2 Labwah 3 Dozalla
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The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
