Dubai: The UAE Derby (G2), a race that can set a horse up for the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs in May, is shaping up to be quite an open affair this year.
And, whereas some will be hoping to cross the Atlantic to even bigger tasks after World Cup night, one horse is being shipped the other way, to have crack at the $2 million (Dh7.3 million) classic at Meydan — namely Lucky Chappy.
Lucky Chappy represents Team Valour International and trainer Graham Motion, whose Dubai World Cup hopes were dealt a blow this week when Animal Kingdom was ruled out due to injury. And, like his stable-mate who won the 137th Kentucky Derby in 2011, Lucky Chappy also has an international background.
Bred in Ireland, this son of Epsom Derby (G1) and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner High Chaparral, began his career in Italy last year, when he won two of his three races before being exported to America. He has had four runs Stateside without winning, but his form has been quite solid and this colt is bound to win a stakes event one day.
In his most recent race, the El Camino Real Derby (G2) at Golden Gate Fields in California, Lucky Chappy was just a nose away from such success. Daddy Nose Best lived up to his name that day and beat Lucky Chappy in a photo finish.
Geir Stabell is the editor of Globeform, a Newmarket-based independent racing and handicapping publication.
