Abu Dhabi: Named after Captain Steve Thompson, the head of the Louisville Police Department’s criminal investigation division, Captain Steve left it late but asserted himself to win the 2001 edition 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 secured American trainer Bob Baffert his second Dubai World Cup.

Baffert had claimed his first DWC triumph at the 1998 meeting when Silver Charm just pipped Godolphin’s Swain at the finish in what was an epic battle.

Three years on, and Captain Steve ran a perfect race under Bailey at Nad Al Sheba, settling into fifth place while keeping the early race leader, To The Victory, in his sights. Then, as To The Victory broke clear on the home stretch, Captain Steve showed an incredible turn of foot to take him three lengths clear of his nearest rival at the post. Hightori, finishing strongly in third, was half-a-length further back.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who helped conceptualise the Dubai World Cup, gave Baffert a congratulatory hug in the winner’s enclosure.

The gesture underlined the spirit in which the race is run and Shaikh Mohammad’s respect for the competition.

A chestnut colt by Fly So Free out of Sparkling Delite, Captain Steve earned his name after a policeman who had helped his owner Mike Pegram.

Thompson was appropriately present at the Dubai racecourse to watch the thrilling victory.

Meanwhile, this was jockey Jerry Bailey’s third win in six runnings of the world’s richest horse race.

“Halfway through the race, he seemed to be under a bit of pressure, but it all came right eventually,” said Bailey.

Trainer Baffert’s popularity in Dubai reached a new high as the packed crowd watched the ace trainer punch the air when his runner earned him his second Dubai World Cup.

“It’s turned out to be a fantastic week but my hair was turning black when they were running down the back side,” he said.

Never again would Captain Steve 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.