2014 UAE Derby: Toast of New York scores at 13/1

Toast of New York stalked the early speed of Safety Check (IRE) through soft early fractions over the Tapeta surface at Meydan, pulled away from his rivals at the top of the stretch and rolled home to win the UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup day. Asmar (IRE) finished a good second, Emirates Flyer (GB) held for third, while race favorite Giovanni Boldini, racing well back of the leaders early on, could only muster fourth.

The Tapeta surface at Meydan has favored horses on or near the lead the last few years and this year looks to be no different. Horses can make moves from the back to get into contention but, as we saw in the UAE Derby, a good horse up near the lead is going to be very tough to catch without putting pressure on him early.

The UAE Derby is part of the official 2014 Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winner earning 100 points towards a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Those 100 points for Toast of New York guarantee a spot in the starting gate for the England-based horse, the question is: will he go to the Derby and can he run over dirt? Additionally, he's a horse that likes to run near the lead but he's never had to display the kind of speed necessary to run up front in a U.S. dirt race. Personally, I'd be concerned with his chances of getting 10 furlongs if tries to stalk the pace at Churchill Downs.

Race 4: Toast of New York wins The UAE Derby #DWC14 #DRWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xGIHWKiEMO

— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) March 29, 2014

Toast of New York is a three-year-old colt by Thewayyouare out of a Syncline mare (Claire Soleil), trained by Jamie Osborne and ridden by Jamie Spencer.

Below are the results for the UAE Derby: