American Dubai Works at Keeneland

Richard Keith's American Dubai put in his final major work April 2 in preparation for the running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) April 9 by working five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 over a fast track after the morning renovation break at Keeneland.

With exercise rider Antioco Murgia up, American Dubai was timed in :36 2/5 for the first three furlongs by Keeneland clockers and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.

"It was about what we wanted for his first time over a new surface," trainer Rodney Richards said. "The gallop-out was nice and the best part of it."

After breaking his maiden at first asking last fall at Churchill Downs, American Dubai wintered at Oaklawn Park, where he ran three times, including a third in the Southwest Stakes (gr. III). The son of E Dubai finished 13th in his most recent start in the March 19 Rebel (gr. II).

"I just felt that this track favored his style better than Oaklawn Park and decided to give it a shot," Richards said. "He will just have long gallops up to the race and may have one fast gallop."

Richards, who will be seeking his initial graded stakes victory in the Toyota Blue Grass, will make a quick return to Oaklawn over the weekend and plans to return to Lexington midweek.

"This means the world to us as we are trying to get to the next level," Richards said. "I think he had a little bug for the Rebel, but he was good three or four days after that."