It seems that ever since the Dubai World Cup has gone over to a synthetic surface, American bred horses have not faired well. Traditionally bred for dirt, American horses have shown to have trouble running on the synthetic 'tapeta' surface of the Meyden Racecourse. Since transferring over to poly turf in 2010, no American horse has gotten in the money. However, this year the American horses have a very good chance of taking down some big money purses, on the richest day of racing in the world. Or at least this is what the oddsmakers feel because they have given some of the the American contingent some very favorable odds to win. Going as far as even making Little Mike, the favorite in the $5 million Duty Free Stakes which is run on the turf. European horses traditionally excel in the biggest turf races in the world, but to his credit, Little Mike has defied the odds his whole career. Last year the son of Spanish Steps won three G1 races including the Breeders Cup Turf Classic. In that race he went off at odds of 17-1 and earlier in the year he won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at odds of 12-1. However in 2013 he will run the toughest race of his life as the 5-2 morning line favorite.
The feature race of the card is the $10 million Dubai World Cup, a 13 horse field with the Irish bred Hunters Light as the lukewarm 7-2 morning line favorite. Right behind him are the three American horses Royal Delta (4-1), Animal Kingdom (5-1) and Dullahan (6-1). In addition to that Breeders Cup Sprint winner Trinninberg will be the horse to beat in the $2 million Golden Shaheen Sprint.
The races can be watched live on HRTV, or streaming on DRF.com, coverage begins at 9:00 am Saturday morning.
Dubai World Cup - $10 million 1 1/4 miles pst time 2:05 p.m. EST
Sheema Classic - $5 million 1 1/2 miles (T) 1:20 p.m. EST
Duty Free - $5 million 1 1/8 (T) miles 12:40 p.m. EST
Dubai Golden Shaheen - $2 millon 6 F 11:45 a.m. EST
Al Quoz Sprint - $1 million 5 F (T) 11:05 a.m. EST
UAE Derby - $2 million 1 3/16 10:25 a.m. EST
Dubai Gold Cup - $2 million 2 miles (T) 9:40 a.m. EST
Godolphin Mile - $1million 1 mile 9:10 a.m. EST
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