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Originally Posted by SniperSB23
Why would he run her in Dubai on a synthetic when he wouldn't run her in the Breeders Cup on a synthetic?
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For the same reason that he ran Curlin in the Man O' War. Because Jackson likes to take steps that the public believes are risky but in reality aren't. RA has HOY wrapped up and her reputation in the general sports media intact if she stays in the barn. Running in the Classic has a much downside as upside. I think she would have skipped the Classic this year even if it was run on real dirt.
Next year is a clean slate, and we already know Jackson likes the international stage, albeit Dubai. He has to make a bold statement with her. If she loses there it can be blamed on the surface (her win at Kee over Poly has basically been forgotten anyway). Then he can come back to the U.S. and cherry pick her spots over a limited campaign (Foster-Woodward or Whitney-Beldame) that may or may not end with the Classic.