WEEKEND STAKES ACTION: Dubai World Cup and Louisiana Derby Edition (Updated 5x)

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 8:08 AM EDT in Stakes Day Open Thread

Not only are there tons of great stakes races to watch today, but Gulfstream Park will carry almost $600,000 into today's $0.10 Rainbow Pick Six. Toss in the richest race in the world (Dubai World Cup), a $1 million prep for the Kentucky Derby (Louisiana Derby), several races on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (Bourboneete Oaks, Fair Grounds Oaks), and a race in New Mexico with an $800,000 purse (Sunland Derby); that's not a bad day of racing.

Scraches and changes for today's tracks can be found through the links below:

Fair Grounds
Gulfstream Park
Meydan
Santa Anita Park
Sunland Park
Turfway Park

Below is a rundown of the major races this weekend, along with a running update of the winners. Click on the name of the winner to be taken to the full result chart (when available).

Both TVG and HRTV will have coverage of the races from Dubai. HRTV's feed is the track/international feed from Dubai. TVG's is the same video but with in-studio commentators.

Day	Post Time	Race	Winner	$2 Win
Sat	9:15 / 6:15	Al Quoz Sprint	J J the Jet Plane (SAf)	$4.20
Sat	9:50 / 6:50	Goldolphin Mile	Skysurfers (GB)	$8.20
Sat	10:25 / 7:25	UAE Derby	Khawlah (IRE)	$9.20
Sat	11:05 / 8:05	Dubai Golden Shaheen	Rocket Man (AUS)	$3.60
Sat	11:45 / 8:45	Dubai Duty Free	Presvis (GB)	$12.60
Sat	12:50 / 9:50	Dubai Sheema Classic	Rewilding (GB)	$7.80
Sat	1:35 / 10:35	Dubai World Cup	Victoire Pisa (JPN)	$36.60
Sat	3:49 / 12:49	G2-New Orleans Hcp.	Mission Impazible	$5.00
Sat	4:33 / 1:33	G2-Bourbonette Oaks	Summer Soiree	$5.00
Sat	4:56 / 1:56	G2-Fair Grounds Oaks	Daisy Devine	$11.00
Sat	5:02 / 2:02	Rushaway Stakes	Swift Warrior	$10.00
Sat	5:25 / 2:25	G3-Pan American	Rahy's Attorney	$12.60
Sat	5:29 / 2:29	G2-Mervin Muniz	Smart Bid	$8.00
Sat	5:31 / 2:31	G3-Spiral Stakes	Animal Kingdom	$8.00
Sat	6:03 / 3:03	G2-Louisiana Derby	Pants On Fire	$14.60
Sat	6:36 / 3:36	G3-Tokyo City Cup	Worth Repeating	$18.20
Sun	5:46 / 2:46	Sunland Park Oaks	Plum Pretty	$2.10
Sun	7:45 / 4:45	G3-Sunland Derby	Twice the Appeal	$53.20

UPDATE #5: A huge win for Japan in the Dubai World Cup as Victoire Pisa (JPN) holds off Transcend (JPN) in the stretch for the win. It was quite a scene in the winner's circle where the Japanese connections were highly emotional given the circumstances going on back in their home country.

Japanese racing has been seeking a big international win for many years now and they finally achieved that with Victoire Pisa's triumph this morning.

UPDATE #4: A lovely ride by Frankie Dettori on Rewilding (GB) in the Sheema Classic on his way to a pretty easy score in the 12 furlong turf race.

UPDATE #3: Euroears ran a valiant race but wore down in the stretch under the pressure of Rocket Man (AUS), who avenges his loss in last year's Golden Shaheen.

Based on the races on Tapeta today, I think it's accurate to say the main track is very unkind to front-running horses. Euroears went :24+ on the frontend and still couldn't hold on. You're not going to get an opening quarter much slower than that in a six furlong sprint.

UPDATE #2: A thrilling stretch drvie between Kahwlah (IRE) and Master of Hounds in the UAE Derby with Kahwlah becoming the first filly to win the race since its inception.

UPDATE #1: J J the Jet Plane (SAf) sprinted through the fog to nip War Artist (AUS) at the wire of the Al Quoz Sprint at 5f on the turf. J J the Jet Plane went off at 6/4 odds with the UK bookmakers. The pool North American players are betting into had the winner at even money.

We have our first update of the morning and what looks to be our first major change: Kinsale King, the defending champion in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, appears to be a scratch from the race. That's a big scratch and it puts Rocket Man in an excellent position to capture the race he narrowly missed out on last year.

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Comments

Only slight differences in TV coverage...

TVG is cutting in and out of the international feed to show their odds graphics while HRTV is just showing everything coming straight out of Dubai. Not sure why TVG is cutting off the on-track analysis and then returning to it…but, whatever.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

TVG is also running about 10 to 15 seconds behind HRTV.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I Want Revenge is taking considerable money from American players...

he’s currently 9/5 on the board

This might be our first race of the day where the N.A. pool is going to be greatly different from the UK bookmakers. If you want to play an American horse, I would play Conveyance at 7/1 before I touched I Want Revenge at a ridiculous 9/5. But maybe he’s (IWR) sitting on a big one.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

You were certainly up early :)

by Swale on Mar 26, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Always am on these Int'l days...

I’ll get my nap in later!

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Timeform

The Timeform likes a couple of overlays in this field also.
http://form.horseracing.betfair.com/horse-racing/260311/Meydan-AE-Mey/1750

by Swale on Mar 26, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Their 2nd and 3rd picks are the two I liked the most in this race

I didn’t know what to make of the #5 horse.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Saddle Cloths

It’s hard to watch that without traditional saddle clothes.

by Swale on Mar 26, 2011 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, the one color makes you rely completely on the commentator

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone looks like the 2 horse to me :)

by Swale on Mar 26, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Just bet the 2...you can't lose!

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I'll take it..

Got 3/1 on Skysurfers for $10. The longshot play Zafeen Speed, didn’t run a lick and missed on the EX.

I can’t believe those odds on I Want Revenge…just horrible. They walked on the front end and he still didn’t have anything when it came time to kick on.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

The two fillies look strong in the UAE Derby

Mahbooba is taking more action than Reem (7/2 to 6/1) but I like Reem on top.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Get away from the speed on the Tapeta

the track is slow and tiring; you’re not going to win by running the other horses into the ground. That should be good news for the American horses in the World Cup, since all of them like to come from off the pace.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Wide open betting in the Duty Free

The current favorite is the 3- River Jetez at 5/1.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

World Cup betting opens...

Gio Ponti takes the early money is the current 3/1 co-fav with Twice Over.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Shows the difference in each countries markets

GP drifted from 10/1 out to 14/1 with UK bookmakers but clipped back to 12/1 now. News snippet on the UK coverage quoting Irish bookie firm Paddy Power saying the profitability of the whole day’s business now relies on Twice Over being beaten. TO been backed all day and now 2/1 at best

by andrewp on Mar 26, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

There have been some big diferences today...

I guess they can rest easy now.

Big win for Japan.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep - good win

with Cape Blanco and Gio giving the form an international stamp/perspective, and both looking to have run their race.

Hard to begrudge the Japanese reason to celebrate. NIce scenes in the paddock.

Only downside – the bookies cleaned up. Cant imagine the day I weep about them losing any money :)

by andrewp on Mar 26, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

No kidding!

Good move by Demure to move the winner up into that soft pace on the backside. If he had hung back he likely would have been sunk. A great run by the runner-up to hold second.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

So, I'm checking in on Turfway

and through 7 Maker is on FIRE today. I hope this bodes well for Kitten’s Dancer

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully so.

I hope she gets enough pace to run at. I would think it will be fast enough to set her up.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

5/1 on the board isn't too bad.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, no pace again.

Not sure what happened to the other horses that wanted the lead.

Kitten’s Dancer had to have been seven wide off the far turn. Tough to make up ground when going that wide.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

When I saw 24.98 for the first quarter

I knew she wasn’t going to have a prayer. Looked like she swung out pretty wide on the turn too, but the pace just wasn’t there. Could end up getting some really nice odds at Keeneland on her though.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

That's what I was thinking...

spotted in the right race she could be available at double digits, and she’ll certainly be eligible to run better given a better pace and trip.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know what their plans were for her

but I thought if should could win this race there may be a shot at going to the Oaks. I don’t know how she would do on dirt or if that was even their motivation, but thought it would have been really cool if she could.

I think I may still give Twinspired a bet today. He last race was bad, but he stumbled out of the gate. He like Turfway, and should see some good odds. I’m not going to bet the rent on him, but a couple bucks, or include him in my exotics. I saw today that Maker’s win percent is like 37 at Turfway this meet. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with all the Kitten’s Dancer horses he has and the fact that he conditions horses for the Ramseys, but he’s hot at Turfway and Lebron’s last 30 day stats have been great. It’s not the most sound handicapping, but, with the exception of the last race they have been really good today.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

You do worse than playing a hot trainer/jockey combo

A couple of years ago out at Emerald, Mike Chambers was just cleaning up whenever he had a horse start. It was hard to ever get decent odds but his horses made great singles in Pick 4s. He didn’t run that many starters out during the meet so you had to pounce when they came around.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

that should read "you could do worse than play a hot jock/trainer" man, I can't type.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This next race that connection

is 25 to 1. I am still smarting from the last race and haven’t really looked at in inthe book just yet. Crimson China looks pretty good though, he’s 3-5. I think he was originally going to be in the Spiral but the trainer opted for a different entry in the Spiral to try and get the graded earnings.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, people seem to love Crimson China

I don’t know…doesn’t seem to be much pace in this race, either.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah there

wasn’t much to run at again. I didn’t realize the Spiral was only GIII. Didn’t it used to be a GII?

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

I think it was but I'm not sure...some of those yo-yo back and forth.

I don’t know that I would have come up with Swift Warrior under any circumstances; he’s usually never on the lead.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't even bet that race

Still haven’t decided on the Spiral though.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

With King Congie out I haven't a clue who I like in here.

I hate losing a horse to a scratch.

I would think that this race will have some pace to it but ‘who knows’ at this point.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

This race seems to get some longer odds winners

I th ink I would go with the 1 or even take a shot at Taptowne.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Good pace going on!

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

A couple of races with no pace...

and then one where they go :45+ for four. That’s really moving on Poly.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt, would've loved that a couple of races ago!!!!

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

That's what you needed...sub :46 half!

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Elite Alex takes early money at the Fair Grounds...

goes from 6/1 to 5/2. Mucho Macho Man at 8/5.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

In a totally unrelated to racing

topic, I’m not crazy about the Vinery Racing logo. I loved it back when it was the Jim Beam Stakes for so many years. Over the years it changed from Spiral to Jim Beam, to Gallery Furniture.com, to Spiral, to Lanes End, and now Vinery Racing Spiral. I don’t like that they keep losing their sponsor.

Maker’s Mark does a lot of promo work for the race. The last 5 or 6 years they put out a collectors Maker’s Mark bottle that usually had something to do with the Cincinnati Reds, and they’d have players to autograph, this year they didn’t do one. I even have a couple of horse shoes that the tips are dipped in wax, that are pretty neat. I don’t know wouldn’t be bad to hear it the Maker’s Mark Stakes lol. I’ve mentioned that I love Turfway despite it being kind of a dump. It’s in a nice area and everything, the track itself is just in rough shape. Every year they have rumors that it’s going to close down, I think it’s mostly BS, but This is definitely their biggest event and when it doesn’t show stability I fear that it could hurt Turfway.

by btalbert29 on Mar 26, 2011 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

There's a lot to be said for good branding...

If you got a good, recognizable logo that’s immediately associated with your brand or product, that’s certainly better than changing things up every couple of years. People like to associate with things that are familiar to them.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

If I'm looking for a price in the LaDerby...

I suppose either Wilkinson or Machen is the play. Speed’s been decent on the main track today so I don’t think you want to be coming from too far back; Machen better break well today.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Mar 26, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions