Lord, was this ever a lot simpler card to handicap when it was held on dirt. These are some brutally tough races.
Race #2: Godolphin Mile (Par final time: 1:36.76)
A ridiculously tough 16 horse field. There are two horses in here who I trust to finish on the ticket: Surfer and Master of Hounds.
Betting Strategy:
Exacta Box: 6,8 / 2-9-11-12-15
Tri Key: 2-9-11-12-15 / 2-9-11-12-15 / 6-8
Race #3: Dubai Gold Cup (No Par time)
It sure looks like Godolphin's gelding Tenenbaum is the right horse, and that 8/1 morning line looks very generous.
I see a lot of vulnerability to the favorites.
Selections:
1st: Tenenbaum
2nd: Saddler's Rock
3rd: Ahzeemah
4th: Calvaryman
Race #4: UAE Derby (Par final time: 1:59.35)
I've had some good luck in this race in the past. I was very impressed with the filly Shuruq's big win in her prep for this.
Selections:
1st: Shuruq
2nd: Secret Number
3rd: Elleval (love his chance to get on the bottom of the ticket at big price)
Race #5: AL Quoz Sprint (Par final time: 57.80)
Shea Shea won the prep for this by a clear margin in tremendously fast time. I don't see any way around him. He should win. Eagle Regiment for 2nd.
Race #6: Dubai Golden Shaheen (Par final time: 1:11.26)
If this race was on dirt ... Triniberg would almost certainly win and Private Zone would almost certainly finish 2nd. A complete no-brainer exacta.
It's not on dirt, though.
Selections:
1st: Mental
2nd: Trinniberg
3rd: Reynaldo The Wizard
Race #7: Dubai Duty Free (Par final time: 1:50.10)
Little Mike has a puncher's chance if he gets a loose early lead, but you have to play against him in the US pools for sure.
Selections:
1st: The Apache
2nd: Sajjhaa
3rd: Giofra
4th: Ocean Park
Race #8: Sheema Classic (Par Final time: 2:31.95)
Gentildonna looks vastly superior in here.
Selections:
1st: Gentildonna
2nd: Sharestan
3rd: Dunaden
Race #9: Dubai World Cup (Par Final time: 2:03.75)
The announcer should be saying "Glory for Godolphin" again. Both Royal Delta and Animal Kingdom would not be total shocks, but both are going to be very overbet.
Selections:
1st: Hunter's Light
2nd: African Story
3rd: Capponi
4th: Kassiano
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