Global horse racing star Forever Young headlines the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on Saturday as he seeks to avenge a rare defeat against last year’s winner Hit Show.
Forever Young will break from gate 6 in a field of nine going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt at Meydan Racecourse. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi took part in the post-position ceremony on Wednesday after his 5-year-old sensation
As usual, jockey Ryusei Sakai will be aboard and certainly remembers finishing third behind longshots Hit Show and Mixto. Forever Young has 11 victories in 14 career starts. The other losses? Third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and third in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
On Wednesday, Forever Young, who has record earnings of more than $29.3. million, breezed 5 furlongs under Sakai. The work was less intense than usual.
“We decided to give him lighter work than originally planned due to the fast-track conditions here at Meydan, Yahagi said. “We successfully completed exactly what we intended to do this morning, Ryusei Sakai executed as planned, he looked to have a spring in his step, and all is well.
“There were no problems. He's in better shape than he was in Saudi Arabia. I think he's in fantastic condition.”
Hit Show, trained by Brad Cox for Wathnan Racing, drew alongside Forever Young in gate 5 and will be ridden by Florent Geroux. Joining Hit Show among the two U.S.-based horses is Magnitude, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen.
Magnitude, who drew the rail, comes into the race off victories in the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 28.
“It’s a short field, and I think 1 of 9, with our pace, gives us a lot of options,’’ Asmussen’s assistant Scott Blasi said. “I think he likes to be forwardly placed, and we’ve won a lot of big races from the one hole.”
Forever Young, who has been training at Meydan since mid-February after winning the Saudi Cup (G1) for the second year in a row.
The rest of the field includes Walk of Star, Meydaan, Heart of Honor, Imperial Emperor, Tap Leader, and Tumbarumba.
Walk Of Stars, trained by Bhupat Seemar, could be among the early pacesetters. “It’s a perfect draw,’’ Seemar said. “He’s got a lot of speed, and from stall three he can dominate and display his natural speed.”
The draw for the other four Grade 1 races on the $30 million card also took place on Wednesday
Calandagan will break from gate 2 in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic, though post position is unlikely to play a major role in a field of six.
Dual Group 1-winner Ombudsman drew gate 7 in the $5 million Dubai Turf, while 2024 winner Facteur Cheval is in gate 6.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Bentornato drew gate 2 for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, while Lazzat leaves from gate 7 – two away from his Riyadh conqueror Reef Runner in 5 – for the $2 million Al Quoz Sprint.
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.
