NEWS
Gio Ponti leads North American nine
for Dubai World Cup card
Posted: Monday, March 15, 2010 11:19 AM
GIO PONTI
FourFootedFotos.com
Dual champion Gio Ponti and eight other horses from North America are scheduled to compete in the seven-race Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program on March 27 at Meydan Racecourse.
Gio Ponti, the reigning champion turf male and champion older male, will join Grade 1 winners Furthest Land, Richard’s Kid, and Take the Points in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), the first $10-million race in history.
Gitano Hernando (GB), the English-based horse who won the Goodwood Stakes (G1) during the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting last fall, also is expected for the World Cup for owner Team Valor International.
Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Eng-G1) winner Twice Over (GB) will represent owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms in his first start since a third-place finish behind Zenyatta and Gio Ponti in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
United Nations Stakes (G1) winner Presious Passion is the lone North American candidate for the $5-million Guangha Group Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). His competition will include the Dar Re Mi (GB), the mare who finished third in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Hollywood Derby (G1) winner The Usual Q. T. and TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) runner-up Courageous Cat are both slated for the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1). Multiple graded stakes winner Justenuffhumor will get a chance to rebound for Godolphin Racing after finishing unplaced in two starts in Dubai since his third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Multiple graded stakes winner Kinsale King will pursue his fourth straight victory in the $2-million Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1), and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag will shoot for the $1-million Emirates NBD Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G3), which was added to World Cup night this year.
North American-based horses for the Dubai World Cup program
$10-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1)
2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs), Tapeta surface
|
Horse |
Sire |
Owner |
Trainer |
Credential |
|
Furthest Land |
Smart Strike |
Ken and Sarah Ramsey |
Mike Maker |
G1 winner |
|
Gio Ponti |
Tale of the Cat |
Castleton Lyons |
Christophe Clement |
Dual champion |
|
Richard’s Kid |
Lemon Drop Kid |
Zabeel Racing Int'l
|
Bob Baffert |
G1 winner |
|
Take the Points |
Even the Score |
Starlight Stable |
Todd Pletcher |
Multiple G1 winner |
$5-million Guangsha Group Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1)
2,410 meters (1 5/8 miles), turf
|
Horse |
Sire |
Owner |
Trainer |
Credential |
|
Presious Passion |
Royal Anthem |
Patricia Generazio |
Mary Hartmann |
G1 winner |
$5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1)
1,800 meters (8.95 furlongs), turf
|
Horse |
Sire |
Owner |
Trainer |
Credential |
|
Courageous Cat |
Storm Cat |
Pam and Marty Wygod |
Bill Mott |
G2 winner |
|
The Usual Q. T. |
Unusual Heat |
Don Van Racing, etc. |
James Cassidy |
G1 winner |
$2-million Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1)
1,200 meters (5.97 furlongs), Tapeta surface
|
Horse |
Sire |
Owner |
Trainer |
Credential |
|
Kinsale King |
Yankee Victor |
Super Horse Inc. |
Carl O’Callaghan |
G2 winner |
$1-million Emirates NBD Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G3)
1,200 meters (5.97 furlongs), turf
|
Horse |
Sire |
Owner |
Trainer |
Credential |
|
|
|
California Flag |
Avenue of Flags |
Hi Card Ranch |
Brian Koriner |
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner |
For the full list of contenders for the World Cup program, click here.
