The Dubai World Cup is right around the corner and for the horse racing bookmakers this is one of the best events of the year.
Some of the biggest horses from the United States will be making the journey over to Meydan Racecourse to be involved. You can check the results for previous races here: https://www.twinspires.com/results
This one looks set to be an intriguing early season look at some of the stars of the season, with the contest taking place over 2,000 meters, which is approximately ten furlongs.
It is a hugely lucrative race for connections, with a purse of $12 million being available for the race last year; making it the world’s richest race. A number of greats have won this race in the past, including Cigar, Curlin and California Chrome. Last year’s race was won by Mystic Guide for trainer Michael Stidham.
So, which horse will be claiming the spoils this year?
Life Is Good
Todd Pletcher is yet to train the winner of the Dubai World Cup, but it would be hard pressed to look past his leading contender for the 2022 edition. Life Is Good has emerged as the standout four-year-old to watch in the United States this season, as he put in a destructive effort in the G1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.
Despite being the outsider behind Knicks Go, Life Is Good highlighted just how capable he is over the classic distance, but storming to a three-length victory over the favorite, who was just a couple of days prior named Horse of the Year.
A mighty speed figure of 123 was recorded by Equibase from that run, making it the highest speed figure recorded so far this year. The Pletcher-trained horse is six from seven career starts, with his only defeat being suffered in the G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. However, a solid year of performances this season will make him the outstanding chance for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
Hot Rod Charlie
While many questions were asked whether Life Is Good could return to the classic distance, one horse with no such issues regarding the trip would be Hot Rod Charlie. The four-year-old was a mainstay on the Triple Crown circuit last year, and stayed on strong to finish second in the Kentucky Derby. A second in the Belmont Stakes behind Essential Quality followed that run, before a first grade 1 success finally arrived later in the year.
He was denied that first grade 1 victory in the Haskell Stakes, as the Doug O’Neill-trained horse was disqualified. However, he finally got the win when coming out on top in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby in September. There would certainly be concern that Hot Rod Charlie never seems to get the job done when in a field of high-class performers, and evidence of that can be seen from his fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and second in the G2 San Antonio Stakes.
Magny Cours
Horse owned by Godolphin have dominated the past three renewals of this race, and trainer Andre Fabre will be looking to win a race at the Dubai World Cup for the second time. His first victory came with Polish Summer in the 2004 Dubai Sheema Classic, and Magny Cours may be the horse slightly overlooked in this field.
The seven-year-old ran in the Dubai World Cup last year, and was third; finishing five lengths behind Mystic Guide. However, he shown bits of form in the second half of 2021 to merit having a chance here. He was the winner of the G3 Prix Perth in October, while he was back in third in the Bahrain Trophy behind Lord Glitters. Should experience at the track be a factor, then the Godolphin-owned horse has an excellent chance in the Dubai World Cup.
