LONDON - Hot 4-11 favorite Curlin, ridden with supreme
confidence by Robby Albarado, galloped away with Saturday's $6 million Dubai
World Cup, the sport's richest race.
The US Horse of the Year in 2007, Curlin raced in the first
three throughout, took the lead with 500 meters to go and ran out an easy 7-3/4
lengths winner.
Second place in the 12-strong field went to South
African-trained challenger Asiatic Boy (10-1) with 66-1 outsider Well Armed in
third.
"He's just an amazing horse and I'm proud to be around him,"
Albarado said as the favorite returned to the winner's enclosure at Nad Al
Sheba.
Victories in last year's Breeder's Cup Classic and Preakness
Stakes had marked Curlin out as a top-class performer and he underlined his
reputation with an another impressive display.
Albarado, riding for trainer Steve Asmussen, said: "This is
an unbelievable experience and I can't explain it. This is at the very top of
the list."
Earlier on a glittering seven-race card with prize money of
over $21 million on the night, South African trainer Mike de Kock landed a 1-2
in the United Arab Emirates Derby and also captured the $5 million Dubai Sheema
Classic.
Honour Devil, the 15-8 favorite ridden by Johnny Murtagh,
beat stablemate Royal Vintage (5-2) by a length and a quarter to give De Kock
his second successive victory in the UAE Derby following Asiatic Boy in 2007.
The trainer struck again in the Sheema Classic when 15-2
shot Sun Classique with Kevin Shea on board landed the spoils.
South Africa was also on the mark in the $5 million Dubai
Duty Free when Jay Peg, ridden by Anton Marcus for trainer Herman Brown, sprang
a 50-1 surprise.
American trainer Richard Dutrow Jr and jockey Edgar Prado were others on top
form teaming up to win the Godolphin Mile on Diamond Stripes (3-1) and
following up with Benny The Bull (7-4 favorite) in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
