Horse Racing Picks – The Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup kicks off their festival on March 28th at 5:40 pm time in Dubai. That makes it 9:40 a.m. on the east coast in the United States and 6:40 a.m. on the west coast in the United States.

BetOnline online racebook fans need to make sure they get the times right for the first race because betting the Dubai World Cup, betting all of the races on the Dubai World Cup card, is unlike any day in racing.

Let’s take a look at each race on the card.

Dubai World Cup: Free Picks

Godolphin Mile

Analysis: The Godolphin Mile is run on dirt which is why Two Step Salsa, the 3 to 1 favorite in this race, shouldn’t have a problem winning it. Two Step Salsa now runs for Saeed Bin Suroor and Godolphin. So, he’s a home bred, but he cut his teeth on the tracks out here in SoCal. Gayego, another SoCal horse, figures to make a nice run for second. Informed out of the Doug O’Neil barn could finish third creating an All-American trifecta.

Picks: Two Step Salsa at 3/1, Gayego at 7/2, Informed at 6/1

UAE Derby

Analysis: The UAE Derby is one of the most interesting races of the year because it pits 3 year olds, 4 year olds from the Southern Hemisphere (it would take me too long to explain why!) against each other going 1 1/8th miles on dirt. Sound familiar? Yep! It’s Dubai’s version of a Grade I Kentucky Derby prep. Regal Ransom has finished twice to Desert Party but neither one of those races was longer than a mile. Regal Ransom is out of Distorted Humor so the distance shouldn’t be an issue. I say he turns the tables on his more highly touted stable mate. Desert Party is Godolphin’s best hope for a Kentucky Derby victory. He won the Grade II Sanford at Saratoga last year and is out of Street Cry. Soy Libriano has a big shot as a long shot. His running line is exceptional at 4 wins 3 seconds and a 3rd out of 9 starts. Also, he’s a four year old.

Picks: Regal Ransom at 4/1, Desert Party at 1/1, Soy Libriano at 10/1

Dubai Golden Shaheen

Analysis: For the first time in her career, the brilliant female horse Indian Blessing will take on the boys. At 3 to 1, Indian Blessing is a huge overlay in this race. There just isn’t enough quality in here to challenge Indian Blessing. I’ll make her my pick of the day on this card. Diabolical is fast enough to get the lead over Indian Blessing but he shouldn’t be able to hold on to it. Still, he’s the second best horse in this race. Black Seventeen has an outsider’s shot at big odds because he’s super fast early and it’s easier to keep it going on a 6 furlong straightaway then it is going around a turn on an American track.

Picks: Indian Blessing (best bet on the card!) at 3/1, Diabolical at 7/2, Black Seventeen at 10/1.

Dubai Duty Free

Analysis: The 1 1/8th turf race yearly provides the strongest field on the card. Such is the case this Saturday when trainer Michael De Kock brings a couple of bullets into the Dubai Duty Free. De Kock brings two to the race including Archipenko who should have no trouble beating these at 4/1. Archipenko finished 2nd in the Arlington Million and won the Grade I Queen’s Elizabeth at Sha Tin in Hong Kong last April. Vodka, the female horse from Japan, is a serious runner that on her best day could easily beat these. She will need to reverse her form, though. Lady Marian for Godolphin has been on an absolute tear lately and could be Godolphin’s best hope.

Picks: Archipenko at 4/1, Vodka at 10/1, Lady Marian at 6/1.

Dubai Sheema Classic

Analysis: The Dubai Sheema Classic is a 1 ½ mile race on the turf. It regularly, like the Duty Free, provides a competitive field for gamblers. Michael De Kock has four here including Front House who has a fantastic record of 5-3-1 out of 9 races. He’s De Kock’s best chance. Youmzain finished second to the brilliant Zarkava in last year’s Prix De L’Arc Triomphe. He’s got a shot. Marsh Side, trained by Neil Drysdale and ridden by Edgar Prado, has already beaten the favorite in this race, Dr. Dino, once and figures to at least make a nice run in this.

Picks: Front House at 6/1, Youmzain at 4/1, Marsh Side at 15/1.

Dubai World Cup

Analysis: Albertus Maximus is the chalk at 2 to 1 and nobody should touch him in this race. The American’s can dominate when they bring over a front running tough horse like Roses in May. Well, not only is Albertus Maximus a front running tough horse, but he might be the best horse on dirt in the world. He’s almost as close of a lock as Indian Blessing. Well Armed should love the return to conventional dirt after trying the Santa Anita Pro-Ride surface in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s got a shot to lead from gate to wire. Asiatic Boy is classy, but both Well Armed and Albertus Maximus figure to run him off his feet in this.

Picks: Albertus Maximus at 2/1, Well Armed at 6/1, Asiatic Boy at 5/2.