Chrome Looks To Shine In The Desert

Thursday's Meydan carnival card features a pair of U.S.-based standouts in its undercard handicaps: California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), who will use Thursday's sixth race as a prep for a second shot at the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26; and Marking (Bernardini), who went to his knees and threw rider James Doyle at the start of the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint two weeks ago in what was his intended local debut.

California Chrome finished second in last year's Dubai World Cup in what proved his final start of the year, and the now 5-year-old showed no signs of rustiness when returning a winner in the GII San Pasqual S. Jan. 10 at Santa Anita. Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to trainer Art Sherman, has been supervising California Chrome's preparations in Dubai in recent weeks and said Wednesday, “He is a bigger and stronger horse this year. He has done everything we have asked of him and we are very pleased with his preparations. We decided to run this week rather than on Super Saturday to give him a month between races before the World Cup. We could not be happier with him and are really excited about having another crack at the Dubai World Cup.”

Regular rider Victor Espinoza has flown in for the ride. It is the same race used by Curlin (Smart Strike) to prep for his win in the 2008 G1 Dubai World Cup; however, Curlin contested the race at the now defunct Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Marking, second only to champion sprinter Runhappy (Super Saver) in the GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita Dec. 26, lines up in the third race on the card, a 1200 metre handicap where he carries co-top weight of 132 pounds. It was jockey James Doyle who was thrown from Marking two weeks ago but he is replaced this time by William Buick, having recently undergone appendicitis surgery. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, “It was just unfortunate the last time. Hopefully all goes smoothly this week. If he runs well, we are hoping to go straight to the big night.”