Meydan is forging ahead, and South America has several reasons to keep following the action

In Dubai, horse racing continues its pace despite the situation in the Gulf; Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra have 9 entries for Friday, several of them in the hands of Francisco Leandro; the Ras Al Khor (G3) will be contested

Miss Yechance, one of the cards for Cintra, Olascoaga, and Leandro / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— It is true that the show does not stop, and that is one of the standout notes of this season. While the Dubai Racing Carnival unfolds with all its pomp at the Meydan track, it is impossible to ignore that racing activity continues with total normality, even as conflicts and events in the Persian Gulf region are far from reaching a conclusion.

There, international turf once again summons the cream of the local fleet in a Friday session that promises to be a festival of speed and class. With the Ras Al Khor (G3-1,400m, turf) as the centerpiece, expectations are growing—not only for the clash of European and local stars but also for the massive and strategic advance of the South American team led by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, who will send out a true "armada" of 9 horses.

The Ras Al Khor, sponsored by Emaar, will feature a rematch of the duel that Marbaan (Oasis Dream) and Mysterious Night (Dark Angel) starred in twelve months ago, finishing first and second on that occasion. The latter, a Godolphin homebred under the care of Charlie Appleby, arrives after a fifth-place finish in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2). "He likes the 1,400 meters at Meydan and is in good form," noted the trainer of the blue team, though he showed caution regarding post position 13.

In the same race, standings leader Michael Costa presents Elnajmm (Sea the Stars), a recent G2 winner, while Johnny Murtagh will seek his first win as a trainer at this venue with Chicago Critic (Night of Thunder), a horse that "loves firm ground," according to his handler. The race also features defending champion Fort Payne (Rio de la Plata), who returns to the turf for Nicolas Caullery's team after a lackluster performance on the dirt.

However, for the South American fans, the focus will be on the deployment from the stable of Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga. The professionals will have a very busy afternoon, with a constant rotation in the saddling boxes and the star presence of Francisco Leandro in the irons for several of their pupils.

In the Emaar Surge Handicap (1,400m, dirt), the team presents three options, led by the consistent Go Chrome Go. The son of California Chrome arrives following an encouraging fourth-place finish. "He has regained the ability that brought him here after overcoming health issues that seemed destined to end his career," Julio Olascoaga commented with pride, highlighting the chestnut's resilience.

The element of precocity and potential will come from the 3-year-olds. In the Emaar Momentum Handicap (1,200m, turf), the team relies on Donde Firmo (Midshipman). According to his trainer, the Uruguay-born colt has shown he adapts well to both surfaces, and this race will be an ideal gauge for his evolution.

But perhaps one of the team's strongest cards is Miss Yechance (Cotai Glory), who returns to the dirt in the Next Mile By Emaar Conditions (1,200m). After a successful turf campaign that included a victory, the filly looks to close out her season with a win before heading to Europe in search of black-type. "She returns to the dirt and we have Francisco Leandro in the saddle; he knows her perfectly," noted Olascoaga regarding the pupil who previously chased home stakes winner Six Speed (Not This Time).

In the same race, Dream Of Tuscany (Oasis Dream) will make his debut, a runner generating a lot of excitement for next season. "He arrived a bit later than ideal, but has progressed a lot in recent weeks and his breeze was excellent," the young professional confided.

The card is completed by the Mazrat Al Ruwayah (G2) for Arabians, where Djafar (Dahess) will look to repeat his victory from last year, and the Emaar Champion Stakes, where Claymore (New Bay) will attempt the dirt challenge for the first time. With a record South American delegation and the talent of Francisco Leandro on the track, Friday at Meydan has all the ingredients to speak our language.