Sport | Horse Racing
Pletcher hopes Arrow can hit mark
Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping the long Nad Al Sheba track will suit his Dubai World Cup (G1) hope A.P. Arrow when he competes in the $6million race in 24 days time.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
- Published: 00:37 March 5, 2008
Dubai: Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping the long Nad Al Sheba track will suit his Dubai World Cup (G1) hope A.P. Arrow when he competes in the $6million race in 24 days time.
Pletcher, who saddled Magna Graduate to finish third behind Electrocutionist in 2006, is looking for his first big-race win in Dubai.
On his last outing in the Donn Handicap (Gr 1) at Gulfstream Park A.P. Indy narrowly failed to rein in Sprint At Last.
"It was almost exactly what we had in mind for him. But he ran very well," Pletcher said on the Dubai Racing Club newswire.
"He's obviously an older horse and well travelled so I feel like he'll handle it. And with his strong closing style, I would think the long stretch (at Nad Al Sheba) would suit him very well."
Pletcher revealed he intends to allow A. P. Arrow to complete most of his serious work in America before he ships to Dubai. The plan is to either gallop up to the 2,000 metre race or have just a light breeze at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
A. P. Arrow worked five furlongs on Sunday at Palm Beach Downs in Florida, covering the distance in a time of 1:01.60 over a dirt surface that was rated fast.
A. P. Arrow, who has won or placed in 16 off 22 starts, is among four US-based horses who are likely to run in the Dubai World Cup, including reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, Well Armed and Spring At Last.
Meanwhile, three American candidates for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1) worked over the weekend, with runners on the East and West Coast reportedly clocking the fastest times.
Ready and fit
Benny the Bull, a Grade 1 winner who won the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, drilled five furlongs in 1:00 at Palm Meadows Training Center for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. That move was the best of 19 runners at the distance.
Bushwacker drilled five furlongs in :57.40 at Hollywood Park, fastest of 31 at the distance. Trainer Bill Currin said he caught the six-year-old by Outflanker galloping out six furlongs in 1:09.60.
"He's ready, fit. I worked him with no Lasix, because I can't use it (in Dubai)," Currin said. "He's sound and he's ready to travel."
Another Shaheen contender Idiot Proof went a half-mile in :47.80 over the all-weather track at Santa Anita Park. He was 17th fastest of 47 horses at the distance that day.
Barbecue Eddie, who finished ahead of Idiot Proof while second in the El Conejo in the Palos Verdes Handicap (Gr 2), is also is on target for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, trainer Brian Koriner confirmed.
Other American horses preparing for Dubai World Cup program races include 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr 1) winner Better Talk Now, who will be aimed at the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr1), and Diamond Stripes, who drilled six furlongs in 1:15 at Palm Meadows.
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