WinStar Could Have Three Horses in Dubai World Cup

WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden has confirmed the operation plans to possibly start three horses it co-owns in the March 30 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan.

Candidates include Bill Mott-trained Yoshida, Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Battle of Midway, and Todd Pletcher-trained Audible. 

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and Starlight Racing's Yoshida, a  grade 1 winner on turf and dirt, was fourth in November's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), finishing a stride shy of passing 2018 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow. Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Battle of Midway, campaigned by WinStar and Don Alberto Stable, exits a game win in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) over McKinzie. Audible, with the same ownership group as Yoshida, won last year's XpressBet Florida Derby (G1).

"We're looking at (running) all three," Walden confirmed Feb. 13. "(Yoshida and Battle of Midway) are definite. I'll speak to Todd after Audible works this weekend."

While WinStar alone is a powerful owner, which was never more evident than when its Well Armed brought the curtain down on Nad Al Sheba in the 2009 Dubai World Cup, aligning itself with power players such as China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, Sol Kumin (Head of Plains Partners), and Don Alberto Stable has allowed the burgeoning operation to consistently be part of the classics as well as other high-profile events like Royal Ascot, Breeders' Cup, and Pegasus. WinStar, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and Starlight were also the four owners of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify .