NEWS
Americans have chance to capture Dubai Duty Free
Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 12:45 PM
by K. T. Donovan
The United States has a reigning champion entered in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1), but Miesque’s Approval might not be the best chance the Americans have in the 1,777-meter (8.89-furlong) turf event on Saturday at Nad al Sheba racecourse.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Lava Man will switch back to the turf after his resounding victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), but English Channel looks as powerful as the diminutive chestnut ever has.
Despite shipping well, a feat aviation-wary trainer Marty Wolfson refused to attempt, Miesque’s Approval has been having difficulty training because of his fascination with his surroundings. Otherwise, he has appeared fit and ready, despite having to train in the pre-dawn hours to avoid other horses and people on the rail.
The eight-year-old Miesque's Son horse enters off a fifth-place finish in the Canadian Turf Handicap (G3) on February 3 following a three-month layoff.
Lava Man draws attention because of his reputation. He has mainly been jogging since coming to the desert, and trainer Doug O’Neill’s chief assistant Leandro Mora says that keeping him to a jog has helped the five-year-old gelding retain his sharpness.
“He’s ready to go,” Mora assured reporters.
Miesque's Approval and Lava Man have strong credentials, but three-time Grade 1 winner English Channel has also looked impressive in morning exercises. Exercise rider Eddie King has had a difficult time each morning keeping the chestnut Smart Strike five-year-old under control. English Channel, third in the 2006 John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), enters off a 1 1/4-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race on February 22 at Gulfstream Park.
K.T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:
1. Seihali (Alzao), John Murtagh, Dhruba Selvaratnam;
2. Best Name (King’s Best), Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor;
3. Stormy River (Verglas [Ire]), Olivier Peslier, Nicholas Clement;
4. Irridescence (Caesour), Weichong Marwing, Mike de Kock;
5. Lava Man (Slew City Slew), Corey Nakatani, Doug O’Neill;
6. Mystical (Alnasr Alwasheek [GB]), Martin Dwyer, Subbiah Ganapathy;
7. Kapil (Jallad), Robert Fradd, Mike de Kock;
8. Pompeii Ruler (Genuine), Craig Newitt, Mick Price;
9. Flashy Wings (Zafonic), Richard Hughes, Mick Channon;
10. Admire Moon (End Sweep), Yutaka Take, Hiroyoshi Matsuda;
11. English Channel (Smart Strike), John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher;
12. Miesque’s Approval (Miesque’s Son), Eddie Castro, Marty Wolfson;
13. Daiwa Major (Sunday Silence), Katsumi Ando, Hiroyuki Uehara;
14. Formal Decree (Diktat [GB]), Kerrin McEvoy, Saeed bin Suroor;
15. Bad Girl Runs (Western Winter), Mick Kinane, Mike de Kock; and
16. Linngari (Indian Ridge), Kevin Shea, Herman Brown.
