Dubai World Cup - The Locks Picks The Winners

Today is Dubai World Cup Day - which is the richest day in horseracing.... 




Here are the Locks:

R2 Godolphin Mile        1 mile, All-Weather track, $1m
◎ #4 African Story                7/2
○ #2 Western Aristocrat        6/1
▲ #5 First City                        20/1
△ #7 Derbaas                        10/1

R3 Dubai Gold Cup        2mile, Turf, $1m
◎ #11 Fox Hunt                        5/2
○ #8 Mikhail Glinka                8/1
▲ #10 Opinion Poll                3/1
△ #2 Barbrican                        20/1

R4 UAE Derby                1 3/16m, All-Weather, $2m
◎ #14 Balada Sale                8/1
○ #1 Lucky Chappy                6/1
▲ #8 Yang Tse Kiang                20/1
△ #6 Mickdaam                8/1

R5 Al Quoz Sprint        5furlong, Turf, $1m
◎ #7 Invincible Ash                10/1
○ #2 Addictive Dream                20/1
▲ #5 Nocturnal Affair                20/1
△ #3 Regally Ready                6/1

R6 Golden Shaheen         6 furlong, All-Weather, $2m
◎ #9 Sepoy                        4/1
○ #6 Hitchens                        12/1
▲ #5 Krypton Factor                10/1
△ #1 Rocket Man                9/2

R7 Dubai Duty Free        1 1/8m, Turf, $5m
◎ #7 Dark Shadow                10/1
○ #13 City Style                8/1
▲ #4 Ambitious Dragon                4/1
△ #10 Mutahadeen                10/1

R8 Dubai Sheena         1 1/2m, Turf $5m
◎#6 Treasure Beach                20/1
○#1 Songcraft                        8/1
▲#8 Cirrus Des Aigles                3/1
△ #9 St Nicholas Abbey        2/1

R9 Dubai World Cup        1 1/4m, All Weather $10m
◎#1 Master of Hounds                12/1
○#11 Capponi                        8/1
▲#5 Smart Falcon                10/1
△ #14 Game on Dude                3/1


Go $10 win on top pick wheel it back in an exacta saver....
Box up the 4 in exactas and trifectas...

For those at Meydan today....i know you can't bet unless you fool the proxy on your laptop to think you are in the US and bet via your twinspires account...but if on track take the every combination of the top two picks into your "pick the winners" contest....

Good luck...

Dubai World Cup Preview Day - The Locks

Today, March 10 is a preview day for the Dubai World Cup - there are 7 races featuring a number of horses that will use today as a prep for March 31, the richest day in horse racing.


The Locks are:


R2...Al Bastakiya Listed Stakes 

1900M(a9.5F) -USD250,000 

◎ #9 Matusalen 15-1
○ #2 Cash Luck 9-2
▲ #5 Kinglet 7-2
△ Burano

R3...Mahab Al Shimaal G3 Stakes

1200M(a6F-USD200,000TB
◎ #9 Hitchens 5-2

○ #4 Addictive Dream 10-1

▲ #12 Krypton Factor 8-1

△ #10 Ergiyas 20-1

R4...Meydan Sprint Stakes

Turf1000M(a5F) -D175,00

◎ #8 Prohibit 8-1

○ #9 Regally Ready 2-1

▲ #14 Invincible Ash 10-1

△ #7 Nocturnal Affair 20-1

R5 Burj Nahaar Stakes

1600M(a8F)-USD200,000TB 

◎ #13 Soorah 12-1

○ #4 African Story 4-1

▲ #1 Musir 3-1

R6

◎ #2 Campanologist 3-1

○ #16 Laajooj 12-1

▲ #4 Songcraft 4-1

R7

◎ #8 Haatahef 12-1

○ #7 Capponi 10-1

▲ #10 Green Destiny 20-1

R8

◎ #14 Master of Hounds 10-1

○ #9 Mutahadee 8-1

▲ #4 Albaabil 15-1

△ #1 Pisco Sour 6-1

Take the top horse $10 win, wheel it back with a exacta saver, box the rest up in exactas and trifectas..

2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders - The Locks Early Line Part III

It's now 2 months before the Kentucky Derby and the field of 20 for the Kentucky Derby is still wide open....


In the past month the media has established a consensus early favorite in Union Rags who came off his impressive 2yo season with a an impressive win at Gulfstream.    To show how tough the horse racing game is we've seen a few contenders drop off the list with injury....

So here are the Contenders...

Fed Biz 

Giant's Causeway - Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Impressive in an optional claiming at Santa Anita.   Baffert very high on the colt.

Union Rags 

Dixie Union - Tempo, by Gone West

Trainer: Michael Matz

Open length winner in 3yo debut in Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.   Last 3f could have been faster though.

Sabercat 

Bluegrass Cat - Miner's Blessing, by Forty Niner

Trainer: Steven Asmussen

Training for 3yo debut in San Felipe at Santa Anita on March 10 or may bypass that stacked race and head to the Rebel at Oaklawn.

Gemologist

Tiznow - Crystal Shard, by Mr. Prospector

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Training for 3yo debut possibly Tampa Bay Derby or the Rebel at Oaklawn.

Creative Cause 

Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer

Trainer: Mike Harrington

A willing 3rd in 7f San Vincente in a 4 horse field - not sure what this tells us...we will see more in the San Felipe.

El Padrino ☝
Pulpit - Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Hasn't done much wrong - won a 2 turn allowance at Gulfstream Park showing a great late kick - won Risen Star  also with nice stretch drive.... will go in either Louisiana Derby or Florida Derby before going to Louisville.

Ever So Lucky 

Indian Charlie - Bally Storm, by Summer Squall

Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard

Trainer admits that isn't sure that colt is a Derby horse and that distance may be an issue...but could be a case of trainer Jonathan Sheppard being cautious....just shot off a :58 4/5 work at Gulfstream...horse is getting sharp for something!


Fly Lexis Fly 

Badge of Silver - Becky Loves Silver, by Silver Charm

Trainer: Neil Drysdale

Very interesting potential.  Won 2 G1 Classics versus older horses in Peru  - won Peru Derby by 10+ lengths even though running on wrong lead for half of stretch.  However trainer Neil Drysdale will not push horse to Kentucky Derby if not ready and may opt for the Belmont since FLF already has won at 1 1/2 mile.


Hansen (KY)
Tapit - Stormy Sunday, by Sir Cat

Trainer: Michael J. Maker
hmm-bop....have been reluctant to put the BC Juvenile winner in the mix because of running style but the horse just keeps on winning.  Won pressing the pace in the Gotham.   Certainly will not miss this horse if the colt lines up in Louisville....white horse that will be on or near the lead.  Horse won't win the Derby but  may line up and create a pace scenario.

Alpha

Bernardini - Munnaya, by Nijinsky II
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin
The Sheik (aka Godolphin) has won every big race in the world except for the Kentucky Derby after years of trying maybe this year is the year.  Derby pedigree.  Impressively won the Withers at Aqueduct and next will race in the Wood.


Empire Way
Empire Maker - Delta Princess by AP Indy
Trainer: Mike Harrington
Finished well in the Robert Lewis Stakes.  Has a pedigree of a Classic winner (Sire and Broodmare sire both won the Belmont)...


Prospective 

Malibu Moon - Spirited Away, by Awesome Again
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Throw out BC Juvenile and horse hasn't done much wrong. Showed a great late kick in the Sam F Davis at Tampa Bay.  Tampa Bay Derby is next.

Exothermic
Empire Maker - Irridescence (SAF), by Caesour
Trainer:  George R. Arnold, II
2 for 2 including a win going 9 furlongs coming off the pace.   Pedigree should help too.

Liaison 

Indian Charlie - Galloping Gal, by Victory Gallop

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Not sure what to make of Robert Lewis Stakes...lost rider in mid-stretch...will have to see how horse responds in next prep.  Zipped 4f in :47 as prep for San Felipe.

Summer Front 

War Front - Rose of Summer, by El Prado (IRE)

Trainer: Christophe Clement

Recent workout at Payson Park Training Center - so CC will take his time with this colt.

Lemon Juice 

Johannesburg - Lemon Lady, by Lemon Drop Kid

Trainer: Dane Kobieskie

Still no recent workouts...hasn't raced since October but still interesting to see if will return to form as 3yo.

-----------------

Here are some from my previous lists that fell off....

Hierro 
Hard Spun - Brief Bliss, by Navarone
Trainer: Steven Asmussen

5th in Sham Stakes at Santa Anita may not be pushed to pursue Derby.

O'Prado Again 

El Prado (IRE) - Leh She Run, by Pulpit

Trainer: Dale Romans

Leg injury  - off Derby trail.

Timely Tally 

Mr. Greeley - Score, by A.P. Indy

Trainer: Ian Wilkes

Tendon injury - off Derby trail

Algorithms 

Bernardini - Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Leg injury - off Derby trail

Out of Bounds
Discreet Cat - Unbridled Elaine, by Unbridled's Song
Trainer: Eoin G. Harty
Ankle Injury - off Derby trail
Junebugred 

Corinthian - Dixie Melody by Dixieland Band
Trainer: Steve Hobby
Uninspiring 6th in the 2 Division Southwest Stakes.