Saturday: Forever Young in Dubai World Cup, Plus UAE Derby

FOREVER YOUNG, the highest-rated horse in the world since his victory in the Saudi Cup (G1) last month, will try to become the first horse to win in Saudi Arabia and then Dubai as he looks strong in the Dubai World Cup (G1) Saturday at Meydan.

The blockbuster race card includes the $6 million SHEEMA CLASSIC (G1) on turf, the UAE DERBY (G2) worth $2.5 million for three-year-olds, and the GOLDEN SHAHEEN (G1), a sprint worth $2 million.

Note that due to the forecast extreme heat (upwards of 100 degrees F), the race card will start an hour later (8 :30 a.m. Saturday EST).

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The Dubai World Cup post time is now 1:30 p.m. EST. Woodbine Entertainment’s betting platform HPIBET.com offers the races and wagering.

STORYLINES

Forever Young (Real Steel (Jpn)) has won eight of 10 races worldwide. He almost won the Kentucky Derby (G1) last year and was third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); otherwise, he has won all over. He drew post 5 for the 1 1/4 mile World Cup and figures to be a strong favourite.

American challengers include the sturdy Rattle N Roll (Connect), the Ken McPeek trainee who was fifth in the Saudi Cup and won the Grade 2 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs in his most recent US start; Hit Show, winners of the Lukas Classic Stakes last fall; and longshots Il Miracolo, Mixto and Katonah.

Dubai World Cup post positions (Post time 1:30 p.m. EST)

1 WALK OF STARS
2 RATTLE N ROLL
3 WILSON TESORO
4 USHBA TESORO
5 FOREVER YOUNG
6 IL MIRACOLO
7 HIT SHOW
8 MIXTO
9 RAMJET
10 IMPERIAL EMPEROR
11 KATONAH

Hamming it up, Forever Young pic.twitter.com/bMsfM1MoUn

— Alan Carasso (@EquinealTDN) March 31, 2025

More Storylines

The UAE DERBY offers Kentucky Derby points on the European/Mideast Road to the Derby and two spots are up for grabs.

This is a fascinating 1 3/16 mile dirt race with the Scandinavian filly QUEEN AZTECA, an American-bred by Sharp Azteca and directly related to champions My Flag and Personal Ensign, meeting Gotham Stakes (G3) winner FLOOD ZONE (Frosted) and the well-regarded HEART OF HONOR (GB) (Honor A.P.), who drew post six in the nine-horse field.

ROMANTIC WARRIOR, the Japanese superstar who had won eight straight stakes on turf and just before he was edged by Forever Young in the Saudi Cup, will be odds-on in the Sheema Classic on the grass over last year’s winner Facteur Chavel, co-owned by Gary Barber.

American sprint star STRAIGHT NO CHASER, who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and the Riyadh Sprint (G3) in Saudi Arabia, goes for more riches in the Shaheen. He meets the top class TUZ, an eight-year-old Calumet Farm-bred by Oxbow, who won this race in 2024.

Also in the Shaheen is stakes winner SUPER CHOW, who will be ridden by Chantal Sutherland. Sutherland, who had a suspension in Dubai recently due to interference, will be riding at Monmouth Park this summer.