Buick Hopes to Foil 'Chrome' Again

Godolphin jockey William Buick is out to spoil California Chrome  's chances in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) for a second consecutive year.

This season Buick rides grade I winner Frosted, after upsetting champion California Chrome aboard 12-1 shot Prince Bishop in 2015.

That first World Cup win came for 27-year-old Buick just three months after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum retained him for his prestigious Godolphin operation, whose horses have won the race six times. Until that point he had ridden two World Cup starters: Kassiano (ninth, 2013) and Vancouverite (eighth, 2014).

ANGST: Prince Bishop Denies U.S. Runners in Dubai

Buick is equipped with even more horsepower for his fourth World Cup ride. Frosted, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, in his first Meydan start lowered the track record by more than a second in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (UAE-II): 1:56.67 for 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles).

"He was quite impressive, in my opinion," Buick said March 24 at Meydan. "He gave me a great feeling, set the track record, quickened very well in the stretch. He came out of the race like he hadn't done anything, and got a nice break between that and the World Cup."

ANGST: Easy Win for Frosted in First Meydan Start

Frosted's connections selected post 9 for the 4-year-old Tapit   colt; California Chrome departs post 11 of 12 under regular rider Victor Espinoza.

"I would assume Victor would try and break and get to the lead in the early stages of the race to try and save a little bit of ground," Buick said. "Whether he'll be in front, I don't know, but I see him maybe in front of us. We drew (post) 9 with a nice run into the turn. I don't think there's any point in making a completely solid plan just yet because luck can change once we get off."

Buick also rides Jungle Cat in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I), Confrontation in the Golden Shaheen (UAE-I), and Tryster in the Dubai Turf (UAE-I). He won the Sheema Classic (UAE-I) in 2010 on Dar Re Mi, his only other win on a Dubai World Cup program.

"It's huge," he said of the opportunity to compete on World Cup night. "I've been lucky enough to be here for a few years now for the World Cup and I'm glad I have because it's quite overwhelming and it's a lot to take in. But I've seen it all before, and it's fantastic. I'm very lucky to be here."