California
Chrome justified his status as joint favorite by landing the Dubai
World Cup Saturday with a perfectly timed run under jockey Victor
Espinosa.
The 2014 Kentucky
Derby and Preakness Stakes winner was produced on the outside to score a
four-length victory to win the richest prize in thoroughbred racing --
$6 million.
The massive payout makes
five-year-old California Chrome America's all-time highest-earning
racehorse with $12.4 million, surpassing the mark of Curlin, winner of
the Dubai World Cup in 2008.
The
convincing victory also makes up for the disappointment of being beaten
into second place in the 2015 edition by Irish-bred Prince Bishop, and
matches the prediction of 78-year-old trainer Art Sherman, who said his
horse would be five lengths better this year .
Dubai World Cup: This is the richest race in the world 01:37
The race was the finale to a lucrative nine-race card at Meydan Racecourse, with $30m at stake in total.
California
Chrome, so close to the famed 'Triple Crown' in 2014, had been
preparing under Sherman in Dubai for over five weeks even taking part
and winning a handicap race last month.
He
was a fitting winner of a race which came of age with its 21st staging,
a massive crowd enjoying the top quality racing and the thriving social
scene at Meydan.
16-1 shot Mubtaahij ran fine race to come second with Hoppertunity at 25-1 in third.
Frosted,
runner-up at the 2015 Belmont Stakes as the great American Pharoah,
ridden by Espinoza, completed the Triple Crown last year, disappointed
after being sent off joint 15-8 favorite with California Chrome.
The
prestigious penultimate race, the Dubai Sheema Classic, went to
favorite Postponed (4/5), from second favorite Duramente by two lengths.
After
taking the lead at the final corner, last year's King George winner
never looked like being caught and racked up a fourth victory in a row
Brilliant post! I wonder which horses will be competing in the Dubai World Cup 2020. The stakes are pretty high for this year’s Dubai world cup. I am pretty much excited to watch it from my home since I couldn’t get a visa due to some issues. Nevertheless, I am rooting for the best competitor to win the event.
ReplyDeleteExcellent blog! I wonder which horses will make surprise debut in the Dubai world cup 2020. I am rooting for the best stallion to win the coveted championship.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a horse race other than that of a television. However I really want to physically prove it. Will be travelling to Dubai in late April. I hope I get to see some horse races there. Do these horse races happen frequently, or they only happen in some events?
ReplyDeleteI will be pleased if I get these details as it will help me during my trip, after reaching Dubai I will find the details but it will be great if I reach there with some basic details. I have already asked for a day to apply for a Dubai visa.
They sure do
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