by Steve Bailey

The hometown team has the favorites for this year's $1-million Etisalat Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2), the opening Thoroughbred race on the Dubai World Cup program on Saturday at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

Blackat Blackitten was one of the stars of the recent Dubai International Racing Carnival with two victories and a close second to stablemate Elusive Warning, who also will compete in the race, in the Muhtathir Burj Nahaar (UAE-G3) on March 8.

Blackat Blackitten won his final two starts last season as well in England before finding the desert sand to his liking this spring.

"He has had a very fruitful Carnival, and [jockey] Frankie [Dettori] is happy to keep the ride on him," Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. "There is not much between him and Elusive Warning, but Blackat Blackitten has been going well and is tough and honest."

The other two horses favored by European punters this week are Elusive Warning and North American Grade 2 winner Diamond Stripes.

Elusive Warning has won three of his four starts, including the victory over Blackat Blackitten under jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who will retain the mount.

"He booked his ticket to the race by winning well at Nad al Sheba," bin Suroor said. "He has done nothing but please us since."

Diamond Stripes has not reached the winner's circle since winning the Meadowlands Cup Handicap (G2) on October 5.

The five-year-old Notebook gelding was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) and finished third behind Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) participant A.P. Arrow in the Clark Handicap (G2) to cap his 2007 season.

He also was unplaced in the Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes on January 26 at Gulfstream Park in his '08 debut for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times