Dubai World Cup Preview

SPECIAL FROM DUBAI -- Chantal Sutherland, riding Game On Dude, will make history in the Dubai World Cup tonight, as no female jockey has ever previously competed in the 17 year-old event.  Although Game On Dude is an emotional favorite in tonight's 10 million dollar Dubai World Cup, the event offers plenty of other of plotlines and historic firsts.  Here are a few:

LUCK BE A LADY

Canadian Chantal Sutherland is best known as a model and television personality when she isn’t winning races. Sutherland’s looks and story have taken the racing world by storm, as she was last seen by many in several episodes of HBO's recent horse racing series "Luck".

If Chantal Sutherland isn’t the most famous person linked to Saturday Night’s race, then that title goes to Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert.  However, Baffert’s trip to Dubai took an unfortunate turn on Monday. He was rushed to a local hospital and received three stents in two arteries during a nighttime surgery.

Baffert is in attendance tonight taking in the ninth race, where his horse, Game On Dude, will run against the handicapper’s favorite, So You Think. Game On Dude is the second selection of most railbirds, but her lack of experience at the Meydan could be a factor.

CALIFORNIA CONNECTION

Sutherland herself has compared the track's conditions to those at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Park. Indeed, Game on Dude has won two of her last three with Chantal aboard, the loss coming in a game challenge in the 2011 Breeders Cup Classic.

Game On Dude, Chantal Sutherland, and the recovering Bob Baffert all hope to have better luck on this night in Dubai. Should that trio fail to lift the trophy, America has a second hope in Royal Delta.  Were Royal Delta to win, she would become the first filly to accomplish the feat. However, few believe the four-year-old horse or her jockey, Jose Lezcano, are strong favorites.

LOCAL HERO

The Emirates have a chance at a historic win as well. Sensational Emirati pilot and former camel racer Ahmad Ajtebi will be atop Godolphin’s Capponi . Godolphin is of course from the personal stables of Dubai’s ruling Maktoum family. Godolphin's team has won this race before, but it would be the first time they have done so using an Emirati trainer and an Emirati rider.

By Joe Hammond
Contributing Writer for The Daily Sports Herald