by K.T. Donovan

The $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-G2) usually introduces the world to a Godolphin horse or two worth noting for the future.

Typically, the race has very little bearing on racing back in America. This year, however, Ahmed Zayat’s Massive Drama could change that.

Trainer Dale Romans declared the three-year-old Kafwain colt "perfect" after the UAE Derby contender galloped on Friday morning.

"He couldn't train any better and he couldn't look any better," Romans said. "If he's good enough, he'll get the money."

With so many of Zayat’s three-year-olds contesting preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), the UAE Derby purse lured him to the desert with a colt who was not going to make it to Louisville but whose ability could earn him a nice check about 7,000 miles away in Dubai.

In morning works Massive Drama already has shown an affinity for the dirt of Nad al Sheba after running all winter on the synthetics of Southern California, and Romans is pleased with his chances coming off a third-place finish in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) for previous trainer Bob Baffert.

Massive Drama will have to overcome the dynamic duo of Royal Vintage and Honour Devil from the Mike de Kock barn. The pair finished one-two, respectively, in the Al Bastakiya on March 6 at Nad al Sheba, forcing Godolphin back into third with Numaany.

Prior to that start, Honour Devil outran runner-up Royal Vintage by a half-length in the Gulf News U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) on February 14.

“I think of Honor Devil as a bare-knuckler fighter. He is very tough,” de Kock said. “Royal Vintage is more refined. He’s softer. After this race, he’ll need a break. He might be more talented than Honour Devil, but he is still immature and will be a better four-year-old.”

Godolphin's UAE Derby contenders include UAE Oaks winner Cocoa Beach, and UAE Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) third-place finisher My Indy.

K.T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer