3/24/2004

Dubai World Cup has lost it's glitter

The 2003 Dubai World Cup meeting was understandably subdued by war in Iraq. But this year's renewal, which unfortunately clashes with the opening of the flat racing (turf) season in England, really does not look like it is going to be any more exciting for anyone, other than the locals.

As usual Godolphin Stables will be fully represented. But even they seem to lack a super-star this year. And without the presence of Breeders' Cup hero, Pleasantly Perfect, this would be a most disappointing cast....when one considers how much money is up for grabs. Especially with such poor representation from Europe in the turf races.

Indeed, should Pleasantly Perfect win the Dubai World Cup and increase his very substantial earnings to within striking distance of $10 million, he will do so virtually anonymously, because, nice horse that he is, he really has not yet piqued the interest of anyone who isn't a hard-core fan of North American racing.

The same could be said for the admirably consistent, Medaglia D'Oro, who, should there be no pace in this race, might just steal all the money for the ever-dangerous team of Jerry Bailey and Bobby Frankel.

All of this, which no doubt will highly entertain the locals, really confirms that, when it comes to promoting horse racing to the general public, the purses really mean nothing. On the other hand, were the public afforded the opportunity to win a $5 million prize, the reverse would be true.