Do Deuce, Danon Beluga Lead Japan's Hopes in Dubai Turf

Japanese star Do Deuce races for the first time in Dubai in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1T) March 30 at Meydan Racecourse. The Dubai Turf is one of numerous supporting stakes on Dubai World Cup Night.

The standout performer was last seen victorious in the Arima Kinen Grand Prix (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse in his native country. The 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8 miles) Turf will be a scaling back in distance for the 5-year-old son of Heart's Cry  and whose grandsire is Hall of Famer Sunday Silence. 

Do Deuce was reunited with jockey Yutaka Take in the Arima Kinen. They previously paired for a winning effort in the Kyoto Kinen (G2). In between those wins, Do Deuce was a late scratch from last year's Dubai Turf, and then Take was injured for Do Deuce's unsuccessful runs in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) and Japan Cup (G1).

"I considered the Sheema Classic as well and we discussed it with Yutaka Take," trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said of running a shorter distance race. "The Sheema Classic tends to be a race which benefits the front-runners or those with a good position. For Do Deuce's racing style, we both agreed that the Dubai Turf is a race where horses can win from anywhere."

Do Deuce is not the only Japanese contender, as Danon Beluga  returns after finishing second in the Turf a year ago. The fourth choice, Danon Beluga will start from gate 4 immediately to the inside of his countrymate. Japan will also be represented by Matenro Sky and Namur.

Not to be discounted is Measured Time . Trained by Charlie Appleby, the son of Frankel   has run his last two races at Meydan, winning both with each being 1,800 meters. Lord North is also noteworthy; he bids for a fourth victory in the race.

The lone entrant from the United States is Catnip , a Kitten's Joy  gelding who was third last out in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) after a five-month layoff. 

Al Quoz Sprint

Seeking redemption after a fifth-place finish in 2022, Casa Creed  returns to the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) also on the card. 

The 1,200-meter turf dash (about six furlongs) will be his 2024 debut after a reported fever cost him a shot at the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) in Saudi Arabia last month. The 8-year-old most recently finished half-length back in third in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. 

He is not the only United States-bred contestant in the Sprint. 

Bred in Kentucky, the Japanese-trained Jasper Krone  has only run once in America—finishing 12th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) last year. Joining them is another American-bred, Frost at Dawn , who like Jasper Krone, is based outside of the U.S. She is one of two fillies in the field, with having gained experience in Britain and Dubai, topped by winning March 2 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3T).

It has been a fast rise for the daughter of Frosted  .

"To think we're running on Dubai World Cup night in the Al Quoz Sprint as maybe one of the more fancied horses is crazy really but she's thrived since she's been out there," trainer William Knight said. "She's just really enjoying life and you make hay while the sun shines. It's another step up in grade but I think she deserves to take her chance."

Dubai Gold Cup

At nearly two miles, the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) will provide an interesting experiment. Can the favored horse Tower of London , who is trained by the legendary Aidan O'Brien, and ridden by the world's top-rated jockey Ryan Moore overcome a deep field freom a wide draw?

With only nine races under his belt, the 4-year-old Galileo colt is still figuring it all out. 

He's only gone 3,200 meters or longer once before, finishing ninth in a 3,300-meter handicap last September at the Curragh. But in traversing 3,000 meters at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 24, Tower of London rallied from the back of the field to win the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G3T).

MV Magnier, part of the horse's ownership group along with Westerburg, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, said following the Red Sea: "In fairness to Aidan he was quite confident coming out here and Ryan said he was going to take his time. He's pretty cool, relaxed and nothing fazes him."

GODOLPHIN MILE

For racing fans less familiar with many of the international entrants on the Dubai World Cup card, the second race of the night—or day in the States—might be more to their liking. More than half (seven) 13 runners in the Godolphin Mile (G2) were bred in the U.S. Not all of them have raced in America, but their lineages will certainly be familiar.

There is still one who should be at the center of the race's outcome. 

Saudi Crown , whose resume features seven top-three finishes from eight career starts, will stand a good chance of continuing that trend as long as he gets off to a good start.

Whether it is a gate-to-wire win such as the Louisiana Stakes (G3) or a second in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) where he was never far off the lead, not having to navigate traffic works to his advantage. The one time he had to, last fall's Breeder's Cup Classic (G1) resulted in a 10th-place finish. 

Last time out, he finished third in the 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup (G1), caught in the closing strides.

"He ran hard in Saudi, but we feel like this distance will suit him nicely," assistant trainer Blake Cox said. "He's been here since February 26 and he's worked three times.

"He looks very good and we are very happy with where he is at." 

However, another American-bred, Isolate , attempts to defend his victory in the race last year.