NEWS
Invasor, Lava Man among 14 American-based horses headed to Dubai
Posted: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:53 PM
INVASOR
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Jeff Lowe
Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) and six-time Grade 1 winner Lava Man head a contingent of 14 American-based horses scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates for the $21-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) card on March 31.
The group will depart on March 20 on separate flights from Southern California and South Florida.
Invasor is slated to work on Sunday at Palm Meadows Training Center before returning to the site of his lone defeat, a fourth-place finish to Discreet Cat in the 2006 United Arab Emirates Derby (UAE-G2).
Discreet Cat figures to be one of Invasor’s primary challengers in the World Cup, along with multiple Grade 1 winner Premium Tap.
Champion turf male Miesque’s Approval will join Invasor on the Florida flight as he pursues the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).
Lava Man and fellow Grade 1 winners English Channel and Host (Chi) also are targeting the Dubai Duty Free, although Lava Man’s status will not be finalized until after he works this weekend.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Honey Ryder and recent San Luis Obispo Handicap (G2) winner Obrigado (Fr) will represent the United States in the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1).
Graded stakes winners Bishop Court Hill, Nightmare Affair, Kelly’s Landing, Harvard Avenue, and Friendly Island are all pointing for the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). American-based horses swept the top five positions in last year’s edition.
San Pasqual Handicap (G2) winner Dixie Meister is aiming for the $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2), along with Spring At Last, the runner-up in both the Malibu (G1) and Strub (G2) Stakes at Santa Anita Park this winter.
Last year, 19 American-based horses participated in the World Cup program.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
