Super Saturday in Dubai Previews World Cup Night

The emergence of the Saudi Cup program has stolen some of the thunder from Dubai's "Super Saturday," but there are still some big noises in this year's traditional prep for Dubai World Cup night.

Among them on the March 1 card are the Middle East's best sprinter, Tuz , who leads the six-furlong Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), and a bevy of Godolphin-owned turfers look for spots on the big night in the action on the card.

Tuz, an 8-year-old Oxbow   gelding bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, has improved with age. The Bhupat Seemar trainee won last year's Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), the dirt sprint feature on World Cup night, by 6 1/2 lengths. He resurfaced in December and has won three starts during the World Cup Carnival by margins of 5 3/4, 4 3/4, and 3 1/4 lengths.

Colour Up  finished second in each of those starts and returns. The best-regarded challenger in the international market (there is no wagering in Dubai), however, is Japan's American Stage, a 3-year-old Into Mischief   colt who won his last three starts in 2024 and makes his seasonal debut. Some of his support doubtless is actually for his trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, a double winner in the recent Saudi meeting.

American Stage was bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm out of a half sister to grade 1 winner Carina Mia . A half brother to multiple graded winner Super Chow , American Stage was purchased for $500,000 by owner Yoshizawa Stable at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Al Maktoum Classic, Burj Nahar

The Al Maktoum Classic (G2) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) on the dirt could be a last-chance effort to make the World Cup field. Most likely is Imperial Emperor , a 5-year-old by Dubawi . Formerly trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, he was purchased for $300,000 at the 2024 Emirates Racing Authority Sale by Deva Racing. He won his first two starts for his new owners and trainer Seemar earlier in the Carnival and then was second to Walk of Stars  in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) Jan. 24.

Walk of Stars finished 12th in the Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22.

It's a bit of a gap in the Classic field from Imperial Emperor to Generous Tipper , a former Kenny McPeek charge now owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Hamad Al Jehani; 2024 sensation Kabirkhan; Firebreak Stakes (G3) winner King Gold ; and a few other well-matched rivals.

The Burj Nahar (G3) at 1,600 meters (about a mile) on the dirt previews the Godolphin Mile (G2). Those garnering early support include Japan's T O Saint Denis  and Cagliostro . Both are coming out of unplaced finishes in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), where they finished ninth and 10th, respectively. Cagliostro, a 5-year-old son of Upstart  , finished third in the Firebreak in his first start for new trainer Jehani after being previously trained by Cherie DeVaux

Turf Preps for World Cup Night

On the grass, things tilt decidedly in the way of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin and the aforementioned Charlie Appleby.

Nations Pride  and First Conquest , both toting riders in Godolphin blue, are favorites in the international markets in the Singspiel Stakes (G2T). The 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) race points to the Dubai Turf (G1T) on World Cup night.

A big threat is Holloway Boy , second in the Zabeel Mile (G2T) and third in the Jebel Hatta (G1T), won by Romantic Warrior .

Godolphin has the two favorites, Silver Knott  and Arabian Crown , in the Dubai City of Gold (G2T), a 2,410-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) prep for either of the two long turf races April 5.

West Acre , a fresh face on a scene brimming with experienced runners, is a solid favorite in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3T) after winning the Blue Point Sprint (G2T) Jan. 24 by 3 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Mehmas  gelding, trained by George Scott, has three wins and two seconds from five starts. The race foreshadows the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T), which is 200 meters longer than this heat.

Godolphin's Ruling Court , a Kentucky-bred Justify   colt, and Hallasan by Pinatubo  dominate the early support in the Jumeirah Two Thousand Guineas. And yet another Godolphin, Mountain Breeze , is a prohibitive choice in the early going for the Jumeirah One Thousand Guineas.

Appleby will be looking to those 3-year-olds for candidates for the big races back in England, Ireland, and elsewhere, including America turf races.