Juddmonte homebred Laurel River (Into Mischief), off since an overeager second in the Jan. 24 G3 Firebreak Stakes, will skip the Apr. 5 G1 Dubai World Cup, according to trainer Bhupat Seemar. The 7-year-old entire, whose G1 Saudi Cup bid did not materialise after sustaining a small mishap, was an imperious 8 1/2-length winner of the 2024 edition.
“Laurel River is doing very good, but after his last gallop, we realize that there will not be enough time to get him fit for a race of this calibre,” said Seemar.
A winner at Santa Anita before running third in the GIII Lazaro Barrera Stakes in 2021, Laurel River won the G3 Burj Nahaar last March before his Meydan heroics. Seemar did mention a couple of long term goals, however, and the bay will be given a chance at both the G1 Saudi Cup in February 2026 and the Dubai World Cup next year.
“Juddmonte decided to give him the time and he can come back for the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup in 2026,” added Seemar.
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