With Cazadero, Walsh Aims for More Dubai Success

Four years ago trainer Brendan Walsh captured the UAE Derby (G2) with Plus Que Parfait .

Two years ago he sent out veteran Extravagant Kid  to a score in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1).

This year Walsh will try to repeat in that latter race where he has entered grade 2 winner Cazadero . As Walsh has had no other Dubai World Cup day starters than the two mentioned above, the Kentucky-based trainer will be putting a perfect record on the line when Cazadero starts in the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) turf sprint that has attracted 16 entries March 25 at Meydan. The race offers a $1.5 million purse.

There are some similarities between Cazadero and Extravagant Kid, says their trainer, although the former has a few less miles on the clock than his erstwhile stablemate, who won the Al Quoz at age 8. Owned by Qatar Racing in partnership with Marc Detampel, Fergus Galvin, and Barry Clohessy, 5-year-old Cazadero has won four of his 11 starts, including last year's Nearctic Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine.

"Of course he fits the bill, he loves the extra distance from the normal five or five and a half that we get in the U.S., similar to Extravagant Kid," says Walsh. "I think he will like the straight six furlongs, too.

"He's an easy enough horse to train; very straightforward." 

Click here for Al Quoz Sprint entries. The expected post time is 9:15 a.m. ET.



Godolphin Mile

Bathrat Leon , who certainly ranks as one of the most interesting horses in the world, will try to add to his story Saturday when he tries to become the first horse since Firebreak in 2003-04 and just the third horse ever to win the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) in back-to-back years. 

As a "prep" for Saturday's test, the versatile Japan-bred son of Kizuna  captured the 1351 Turf Sprint (G3) Feb. 25 on the Saudi Cup undercard. After landing a $900,000 purse in that effort, Hiroo Race Co.'s Bathrat Leon returns to the dirt for the one-turn mile at Meydan for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Yahagi also sent out Panthalassa  to victory in the Saudi Cup (G1) for the same owner and he will start in Saturday's featured race.

Contested as the second race on the card, the Godolphin Mile is the day's first Thoroughbred race on the nine-race card. It carries an expected post time of 8:05 a.m. ET.

Click here for Godolphin Mile entries.

Dubai Gold Cup

In the day's distance test on the turf, the 3,200-meter (about two-mile) Dubai Gold Cup (G2), Godolphin's Passion And Glory  will make his first start since a clear victory in the His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup in Bahrain on March 10. 

"He's very well, in good form. He has kept improving as he has got older," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor of the group 1-placed 7-year-old Cape Cross  gelding. "He also has to step up in distance from 12 furlongs to two miles but he ran well in this race last year, finishing fifth, and I think he is a better, more experienced horse now. So we are hopeful he can improve on that run again." 

Click here for Dubai Gold Cup entries.

Dubai Turf

Last year's Japanese Derby (G1) winner Do Deuce makes his first trip to Dubai off an impressive prep race as the son of Heart's Cry  won the Kyoto Kinen (G2) by 3 1/2 lengths Feb. 12 at Hanshin Racecourse as he's entered in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1).

Bred by Northern Farm, campaigned by Kieffers Co., and trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, Do Deuce was named champion 2-year-old male in Japan in 2021 and secured classic glory in 2022 with his neck victory in the Japanese Derby. 

The expected field of 16 for the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) turf test also features North American-based Shirl's Speight , who finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T). Shirl's Speight is campaigned by his breeder, Charles Fipke, and trained by Roger Attfield.

Click here for Dubai Turf entries (expected post time of 11:10 a.m. ET).

Dubai Sheema Classic

Do Deuce is not the only Japanese Derby winner entered Saturday at Meydan. Shahryar , the 2021 Japanese Derby winner, will try to defend his 2022 victory in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). 

Yuichi Fukunaga, who has been exercising Shahryar in the mornings in Dubai, said the son of Deep Impact is poised for another top effort. 

"His condition is good, I am told that the stable staff are thinking he's back in the same form as last year," Fukunaga said. "He has worked as planned so far and he is showing how much he enjoys being overseas. Having had that experience last year will be so important this time around and I think he is proving it at the moment."

Click here for Dubai Sheema Classic entries (Expected post time noon, ET).