The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) is March 30 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is for 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles on dirt. usracing.com is publishing profiles of the contenders.
“We’re taking a shot.”
So said Todd Pletcher when asked about Crupi’s upcoming engagement in the $12 million Dubai World Cup, for which he will travel some
7,800 miles to run 1 ¼ miles.
“There are not many opportunities at that distance, and definitely not many with that type of purse said the Hall of Fame trainer, seeking his first victory in the World Cup. “If he steps up and gets lucky with a good pace scenario [I think he] can get a piece of it.”
In his most recent outing, the Pegasus World Cup, Crupi lagged in 12th, nearly 15 lengths behind pacesetter Hoist the Gold, before he roused himself and began picking off rivals around the far turn. Angled to the inside by Frankie Dettori, the Curlin colt hit his best stride and rallied for third, 4 ¾ lengths behind National Treasure and Senor Buscador.
A reserve invitee to the Pegasus World Cup, Crupi was the longest shot in the field at 34-1. Not surprising, given his past performances – he actually ran in a pair of Grade 2 events while still a maiden and didn’t break his maiden until his eighth start. Retreating to square one, he then took four of five starts, including listed stakes wins in the Discovery and Queens County at Aqueduct Racetrack, before his gritty run at Gulfstream Park, which earned him a career-best 107 Equibase speed figure.
In the Dubai World Cup, Crupi is expected to attract considerably more attention.
Betting advice: The World Cup field seems to drop off rather dramatically after Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake, and it’s not a stretch to think Crupi, like his sire, is at the stage where he can take another huge step forward.
Pegasus World Cup third CRUPI preparing for the Dubai World Cup for trainer Todd Pletcher. #DWC24 pic.twitter.com/etyuOQs9O0
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 25, 2024
Post position: 1
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Age: 4
Career record: 13-4-2-4
Career earnings: $659,250
Most recent race: Pegasus World Cup (G1), Jan. 27, 3rd)
Top Equibase speed figure: 107
Pedigree; Curlin-Don’tforgetaboutme, by Malibu Moon
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Deep closer
Notes: Crupi has had five timed works since the Pegasus World Cup, most recently covering 5 furlongs in 1:00.91 at Palm Beach Downs on March 16 … Crupi was named in honor of the late horseman J. C. Crupi … Co-owner Mike Repole, speaking of the colt’s predilection for breaking slowly early on in his career, said “Crupi breaks as fast from the gate as Jimmy Crupi would have” … Repole credits Crupi with selecting future champion Uncle Mo ($275,000) out of the 2009 September yearling sale at Keeneland.
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.
