Key Night at Meydan with Tickets to the Dubai World Cup and the Kentucky Derby on the Line

This Friday, the Balanchine (G2), the UAE Oaks (G3), the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3), and the Road to the Kentucky Derby (L) will be held

Tjareed and Labwah, face to face once again at Meydan / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).– The Dubai Racing Carnival is entering the decisive zone. This Friday’s meeting at Meydan offers more than just prize money and prestige: it puts direct tickets on the line for two of the world calendar’s greatest events, the Dubai World Cup (G1) and the Kentucky Derby (G1).

The main event is the Balanchine Stakes (G2), contested over 1800 meters on the turf for fillies and mares. Godolphinpresents three of the seven participants, with Dubai Beach (Blue Point) as their primary card after having defeated several of her rivals in the Cape Verdi (G2) over 1600 meters.

Saeed bin Suroor, a four-time winner of the race, explained: "Dubai Beach and Dubai Treasure (Exceed and Excel) came out of the Cape Verdi very well and have worked in great form. The 1800 meters will be a new experience for both, but if they relax, they will have a chance to get there."

Charlie Appleby, who holds the record with five victories in the competition, sends out the undefeated Blue Nazare(Dubawi), a brilliant debut winner at Great Yarmouth. "She was impressive in her debut. She struggled to acclimatize to Dubai, but now she is at her peak. The increase in distance should not be a problem," he noted.

The former Al Bastakiya, now rebranded as the Road to the Kentucky Derby (L), offers qualifying points for the first time: 20-10-6 for the top three finishers on the path to the roses. Bhupat Seemar presents five runners, including Salloom (Authentic), a recent and comfortable winner over 1600 meters.

"He is in great shape. I just hope he behaves in the starting gates; that is the key," said the trainer, who already experienced Churchill Downs in 2022.

Among the Europeans, Knight Of Glory (Knicks Go), trained by David Menuisier, stands out. "The last distance was short for him, but he finished strongly. We worked a lot on the gates and the 1900 meters will help him. If he behaves, he has a lot to offer," he assured.

The UAE Oaks (G3) also provides points for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Labwah (Charlatan), Tjareed (Yaupon) —from Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga— Dozalla (Upstart), and Yuno (Rock Your World) meet again after deciding the Cocoa Beach Stakes.

"Labwah is perfect. Stall 1 is ideal and the extra 300 meters will be a plus," stated Salem bin Ghadayer, trainer of the favorite.

Meanwhile, the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) over 2810 meters brings together stayers with international aspirations. Sunway (Galiway) arrives in great form after winning the Al Khail Trophy. "He couldn't be better," said Menuisier.

Surabad (Bated Breath), lightly raced in the Emirates, will look to progress with more distance. Godolphin will attempt to extend its streak of nine consecutive victories in the race with By The Book (Frankel).

The evening is rounded out with open and fast handicaps, such as the DEEPAL S07 over 1000 meters, where Miss Yechance (Cotai Glory) —from Olascoaga and Cintra— returns to her specialty.