Jesus' Team Trains Toward Dubai World Cup
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Photo: Rick Samuels
Jesus' Team trains last fall before the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland
Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team resumed training at Palm Meadows Training Center Jan. 29, kicking off preparation for a planned start in the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan March 27.
Jesus' Team enjoyed a week of frolicking in a round pen at Gulfstream Park's satellite training center in Palm Beach County following his second-place finish in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.
"He just jogged this morning," trainer Jose D'Angelo said. "We're making a training schedule for Dubai."
Jesus' Team's connections had considered the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20 as a possible target following the 4-year-old son of Tapiture 's runner-up finish behind Knicks Go. That effort pushed Jesus' Team's earnings over $1 million.
"Dubai will be (his) next race," D'Angelo said. "We want a fresh horse for the Dubai World Cup."
Jesus' Team won a $25,000 claiming race at Gulfstream May 8 after being transferred to D'Angelo's stable last spring. He would go on to finish third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and second in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) last year as a 3-year-old.
The Pegasus World Cup was the third grade 1 placing from the colt, who captured the Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes at Gulfstream in December. He has a 3-5-3 record from 14 starts.