Make Money Betting Chrome in Dubai World Cup

California Chrome is a likely favorite for Saturday's Dubai World Cup. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
The $10-million Dubai World Cup has attracted a field of nine entrants, including the reigning U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome, in what should be an exciting renewal of the world’s richest horse race.
Despite a valiant second-place finish behind the world's top-rated racehorse Shared Belief in the San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita, Chrome still has to prove that he can win again on the dirt against top horses. To find his last victory on the dirt, you would have to look back to the 2014 Preakness Stakes.
I personally think California Chrome is much better and sharper when his races are closer to each other instead of going months without racing. He was very active from his 2-year-old debut all the way through the Triple Crown campaign and he looked to thrive with each and every race.
Do I think he’s coming into this race with his “A” game? I don’t think so.
Do I think he can still win? Absolutely. His “B” game should be enough to handle this field.
The last three horses that denied California Chrome from entering the winner’s circle are Bayern, Toast of New York and Shared Belief, and none of those three will be in the starting gate come Saturday at Meydan.
If California Chrome wins the Dubai World Cup, his earnings would reach more than $10.3- million and that would put him about $200,000 shy of the highest North American-based earner, Curlin.
My top threats to upset California Chrome:
Lea (5-2 odds): All reports indicate that he has been training great since arriving to Dubai. Although he’s only making his third start in more than a year, he’s shown flashes of elite talent and this might be his time to shine.
Hooko Tarumae (10-1 odds): Loves to win races and always seems to fire a good effort. That puts him right in the mix of things. He’s won 15 of his 29 lifetime starts and has accumulated more than $8.5-million in earnings.
African Story (7-1 odds): Comes off a good win that should have him ready for another top effort. Having positive local experience on a relatively new dirt track has to be a good thing for his connections.
Prince Bishop (14-1 odds): Has suffered two narrow losses including a second behind African Story in their most recent outing. I’m not sure what kind of trip he will get from the inside post but I do think he can jump up with a good effort.
Strategy: Key California Chrome in first and second in the trifecta.
$1 trifecta: 9 with 1,2,3,5 with 1,2,3,5
$1 trifecta: 1,2,3,5 with 9 with 1,2,3,5
Total Bet: $24
$10-million Dubai World Cup
Saturday, Meydan, post time 1 p.m. ET
1 1/4 miles on the dirt

PP

Horse

Jockey

Trainer

Owner

M-L

1

Prince Bishop

William Buick

Saeed bin Suroor

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

14-1

2

Hokko Tarumae

Hideaki Miyuki

Katsuichi Nishiura

Michiaki Yabe

10-1

3

African Story

James Doyle

Saeed bin Suroor

Godolphin

7-1

4

Side Glance

Andrea Atzeni

Andrew Balding

Pearl Bloodstock Ltd.

25-1

5

Lea

Joel Rosario

Bill Mott

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider

4-1

6

Candy Boy

Pat Dobbs

Doug Watson

Ramzan Kadyrov

12-1

7

Long River

Mickael Barzalona

S bin Ghadayer

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

40-1

8

Epiphaneia

Christophe Soumillon

Katsuhiko Sumii

U. Carrot Farm

7-1

9

California Chrome

Victor Espinoza

Art Sherman

Perry Martin and Steve Coburn

6-5