Dubai Sheema Classic

The U.S. pools started the day with the Sheema Classic, a 2400 me ter (about 1 1/2 miles) turf event. French Derby winner Sulamani, purchased by Godolphin after he finished second to their horse Marienbard in the Arc de Triomphe last year, was part of the 3 horse mutuel field sent off at 4-5. He ca me on late after trailing early and won by 1/4 length, holding off Ange Gabriel in deep stretch with a final ti me of 2:27.67. Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said, "It is unbelievable. I thought it was impossible to win. This was a performance out of the top draw."

Despite it being a non-wagering event in the U.S. , the UAE Derby is the world’s richest derby with a $2 million purse, and is the only Kentucky Derby prep race run at the classic 1 1/4 mile distance. Also unique is that this derby is open to Southern Hemisphere 4 year olds, one of which was South African bred Victory Moon. He was 7th with three furlongs to go but ca me on late in the stretch to gain the lead with 100 yards to go and hold off local hope Songlark by 1/2 a length in a ti me of 2:02.45. Godolphin’s main Derby hope Inamorato was 2 3/4 lengths back in third, but trainer Saeed bin Suroor said he will likely be sent to Kentucky given that he had a very troubled trip and still finished well. He said "I believe still the horse is good enough to win big races and maybe we will still run in the Kentucky Derby. The horse just didn't have any luck. Frankie said he was stopped more than once." 

style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: #666666; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Sulamani won a hard fought victory over Ange Gabriel in the Sheema Classic 

Dubai Sheema Classic
1 1/2 miles on the turf 

Winning Time:  2:27.67 

$2 Exacta 14-1                18.60

$2 Trifecta 14-1-6           138.60

$2 Superfecta 14-1-6-12    1,030.20