G2 UAE Derby Offers 200 Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points

The Group 2 UAE Derby long has been an important race for connections seeking to have their horse compete in the Kentucky Derby, with 100-40-30-20-10 qualifying points awarded to the top five eligible finishers.

This year's UAE Derby witnesses an international field lining up with horses from five countries.

The Japanese are well represented once again. Last year's winning trainer Koichi Shintani sends Goraiko, a two-time winner from five starts. On his latest start, though, he managed only fifth behind the re-opposing Perriere in the Hyacinth Stakes. Interestingly, Crown Pride was only sixth in the same race before he won the UAE Derby last year.

Perriere, the mount of Oisin Murphy, is drawn well in post 3, but he will have to reverse form with Derma Sotogake from the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, where he was a length adrift.

Derma Sotogake was a staying on third in the Saudi Derby (G3) and should relish every extra yard here with Christophe Lemaire on board.

"The horse is in extremely good condition," said Lemaire, who rode him on Wednesday morning. "He ran very well in third last time (in the Saudi Derby). He will be competitive."

Speaking of the Saudi Derby, fifth from the race Continuar arrives as well. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, he will jump from a wide draw in 12.

Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Dura Erede completes the quintet for Japan. Although that win came on turf, he won his only start on dirt when breaking his maiden.

Bob Baffert trainee Worcester leads the American contingent. Still a maiden after three starts, he has bumped into very useful horses each time, including when third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) to multiple stakes-placed stablemate Newgate. Frankie Dettori takes the ride on him.

Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert, has been particularly pleased with how his preparations have gone: "He did a workout over five-eighths this morning (Monday) and was pretty good handling the surface. He shipped fine, and the workouts have gone very well."

If Worcester wins on Saturday, he would become the first maiden horse to win the UAE Derby and also would provide his trainer with his first UAE Derby success.

Doug O' Neill sends both Carnival winners Tall Boy and Ah Jeez. The former was a game winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and Ah Jeez (shown in photo above) won the seven-furlong Al Karama Stakes. William Buick has stuck with the Guineas winner with the first-time visitor Tyler Gaffalione booked for Ah Jeez.

Perhaps the most interesting contestant in this race is Aidan O' Brien's Cairo. The son of Quality Road was impressive in winning the Patton Stakes last time out, a race won by Mendelssohn before he landed this race in 2018.

The three-time UAE Derby-winning trainer has remained optimistic about his colt's chances. "We are very happy with him since Dundalk, everything has gone well. We thought he would come forward plenty from it, and we have been happy with his work since.

"He is running over a distance further than he has run before, but we think and hope that he should run a very big race."

Also in the race is Es-Unico, a fast-finishing second in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial. He stayed on strongly in the Saudi Derby to finish fourth.

"He has come back very well from a very good run in the Saudi Derby when he was fourth, beaten just two lengths," said trainer Antonio Cintra. "That distance was 1,600 meters (one mile), and he will be much better over 1,900 meters (1 3/16 miles) on Saturday. The extra 300 meters will make a big difference.

"He races around the middle of the field and the more pace, the better for him. Joao Moreira is riding him again and it will help that he knows him better after their first experience together in Riyadh."

The local challenge is headed by Go Soldier Go. Winner of the Al Bastakiya, the Fawzi Nass trainee has finished on the podium in all career starts and will be bearing the flag for the recently introduced Dubai Breeze-Up sale, from which he graduated last year.

The other two local challengers, Mr Raj and Lahresh, also are graduates of the inaugural Dubai Breeze-Up sale. Mr Raj will be partnered by regular rider Ray Dawson, with Mickael Barzalona picking up the ride on Lahresh.

With a strong U.S., Japan and local representation, this year's UAE Derby promises to be a belter.

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