Dubai: Named after Captain Steve Thompson, the head of the Louisville Police Department's criminal investigation division, Captain Steve left it late, but asserted himself well and truly, to win the 2001 running of the $6 million Dubai World Cup in spectacular fashion.
The four-year-old son of Fly So Free and Sparkling Delight knew when to switch gears under Jerry Bailey and won American trainer Bob Baffert his second Dubai World Cup, which again got back under the American ownership.
Baffert had claimed his first Dubai World Cup triumph at the 1998 meeting when Silver Charm just pipped Godolphin's Swain at the finish in what was an epic battle.
Captain Steve ran a perfect race under Bailey, settling into fifth early while keeping the early race leader To The Victory in his sights. Then as To The Victory broke on the home stretch, Captain Steve showed his incredible turn of foot that took him three lengths clear of his nearest rival at the post.
Never again would he find that kind of winning form and after finishing second in the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap and showing in a few other outings, Captain Steve was sold to the Japan Racing Association to stud.
Jim and Tonic knew his reputation was at stake when he lined up for the Dubai Duty Free alongside such winners as Fairy King Prawn and Sunline, but the richest racehorse in the history of horseracing in France produced the goods when he needed to win the $2 million race.
Jim and Tonic fought hard with Sunline for most of the final stretch, but with Fairy King Prawn drawing level in the final furlong the race turned into close battle. The French Horse Racing Hall of Famer thwarted his archrival by a neck before going on to retire the following season in his birthplace of Haras d'Ecouves in Normandy.
Japan's Stay Gold stuck his nose ahead of Fantastic Light the keep the American runner from clinching his second-straight Dubai Sheema Classic title, while Caller One beat Men's Exclusive by just over four lengths to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Godolphin's Express Tour savoured his close UAE Derby win over Street Cry, and Festival of Light prevailed after a tough fight with Curule in the Godolphin Mile, while Magic De Piboul claimed the Dubai Kahayla Classic with a three-length win over Line Dancer.
