Last week my beginning stage of handicapping pointed me in the right direction. – I started with taking a starter look last weekend, and then I proceeded to download the Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms. This allowed me a good start, and after downloading the E-Z Win Forms I examined my bankroll and the path to the betting began. – It was a pretty good weekend, and we thought you would like to start off on a winning note.

 

Meydan

 

Race #4 – The UEA Derby – 1 3/16 – 9:35 a.m. ET

In the past 16 running’s, 10 have had experience with local run preps. – Thirteen of the last sixteen winners wintered in Dubai.

#5 – Vale Dori (9-2) = Christophe Soumillion in the saddle for Mike de Kock, and this 4-yr-old filly is a Southern Hemisphere runner, and de Kock is the only trainer to win this race with one. – She has been facing the boys in Argentina, and she has spent the last ten months wintering in Dubai with a solid prep against the favorite (Polar River) where she finished a game second. – Her second start off the shelf and solid prep has me seeking to beat the chalk in here.

 

Race #5 – The Al Quoz Sprint – 5f turf – 10:10 a.m. ET

#13 – Lady Shipman (15-1) = Irad Ortiz making the long flight to Dubai, and he is one incredible rider on the turf. – She has 13 lifetime starts to her credit, and is 13 times ITM on the green. Her quick ability will be noticed early, and the betting public has hammered her at the windows every time. Ortiz knows her well for the Kiaran McLaughlin barn with two wins and a bitter neck loss in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint against the boys. – Catch her if you can !

 

Race #6 – The (G-1) Dubai Golden Shaheen – 6f – 10:45 a.m. ET

#6 – Super Jockey (7-1) = J. Moreira in the irons and the name of this runner fits the rider perfectly. This 8-yr-old gelding makes the switch from turf to dirt and her only start in Meydan was a fast closing second place finish getting beat by a head. – The rider knows his mount, and his abilities are not only known in Japan as he has been a force wherever he hangs his tack.

 

Race #7 – The (G-1) Dubai Turf – 1 1/8 on the turf – 11:45 a.m. ET

 

#14 – Real Steel (8-1) = Ryan Moore in the saddle for Yoshito Yahagi, and lately the winners have come from races abroad. The Hong Kong International races have been a solid prep leading into this race and red-hot Ryan Moore gets a leg up on a runner who is 7/8 ITM over the turf and exits a solid effort after a four month layoff in Japan.

 

Race #8 – The (G-1) Dubai Sheema Classic – 1 1/2 on the turf – 12:20 p.m. ET

A race that favors “fresh off the shelf” runners, and overall leans to horses that have prepared abroad.

#8 – Highland Reel (4-1) = Ryan Moore up for Aidan O’Brien, and they can do very good work together. This guy is a world traveler and is 2/2 ITM going this far. He has had about 45 days since winning the (G-1) Hong Kong Vase, and looks to be a major player on the front end. He brings his “A” game every time and with a smaller field this should be to his liking.

 

Race #9 – The (G-1) Dubai World Cup – 1 1/4 – 1:00 p.m. ET

#11 – California Chrome (3-2) = Looks as tough as they come, and is 2/2 ITM in Dubai. Victor Espinoza makes the trip for Art Sherman and they have the “push button” type runner who takes the lead or stalks just off. He’s going to be awfully tough but you won’t get much price.

#1 – Keen Ice (20-1) = Ryan Moore up for Dale Romans, and runners who exit one of the key preps as the Donn Handicap have fared well. He was a beaten favorite that day, and had a prep over the track where he just didn’t show up. This angle has held water as well when runners come back off a Carnival effort to score.

#4 – Mubtaahij (15-1) = Christophe Soumillion aboard for Mike de Kock, and there has been no UAE Derby to win the Dubai World Cup. But, there have been two that have run second and both were trained by Mike de Kock. – He is 5/7 ITM in Dubai and he hasn’t been near the horse he was heading into the Kentucky Derby. He tossed in a clunker last out in the (G-3) Maktoum Challenge, and this is his third off the layoff. Mark my word, the mad-genius de Kock will have him geared up to get a piece of the pie.

#10 – Hoppertunity (12-1) = Flavien Prat makes the trip for Baffert, and he exits off a win in the San Antonio at Santa Anita which has been a solid prep for runners coming from the States. – Two back he was off slow against “Chrome” and came flying from the back to finish third. – Team Baffert doesn’t fly around the globe for nothing.

 

There is a sampler platter of some Dubai runners who make good sense. – Be sure to take a gander, and then download your Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms to see how the races shape up. You’ll see some very good racing all weekend long and be sure to pay special attention to Fair Grounds as this is the Louisiana Derby card. – If you’re in need of what is happening on the International front and in the “Big Easy.” – Be sure to check in with the Winning Ponies Internet Show with John Englehardt. He’ll be breaking down the racing scene around the globe with some very special guests. The show kicks up at 8:00 pm. ET, and if you miss it. No problem !  – You can always go back and download the show on podcast when you have time. – Enjoy the big weekend, and best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies !