Columnist Ralph Siraco: U.S. horses have rich time in Dubai

Ralph Siraco

Monday, March 25, 2002 | 11:30 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Although the world's richest horse race on the world's richest racing program is not in America, the results of the Dubai World Cup held half a world away resembled another big day at the races in the good old US of A.

The seventh edition of the Dubai World Cup offered $15 million in purse monies over a six-race series that featured the world's richest horse race -- the $6 million Dubai World Cup.

Held in the tiny Persian Gulf state of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the World Cup races were the place to be last Saturday as the best thoroughbreds of the world gathered in the Arabian desert. More than 80 thoroughbreds from 15 different countries assembled to compete.

But make no mistake about it, the Americans came, saw and conquered.

American-based runners won two of the six races, former American runners won another pair and American riders Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens dominated the human competition.

With a 12-hour difference between Dubai and Las Vegas, most race players didn't get to their favorite race book until the final four races on the World Cup program. And, another American tradition -- betting on the races -- also was offered on those four races from a pari-mutuel hub in Chicago.

Although the Nad Al Sheba racetrack is a state of the art facility, fans there are not permitted to bet on the races because of religious beliefs.

Although Dubai's ruling Maktoum family stacked the deck with multiple runners in all contests, even some of their runners surprised in the night's outcome. The road to World Cup success apparently begins in California as four of the six World Cup winners started their careers on the West Coast.

The first thoroughbred race on the card was the Grade II Godolphin Mile. Grey Memo, a homebred from the Golden State, rallied from last place to win going away under Gary Stevens.

The United Arab Emirates Derby featured the Maktoum's Kentucky Derby hopes. Essence of Dubai, who had won the Grade II Norfolk at Santa Anita as a juvenile, came from well off the pace under jockey Frankie Dettori to nail California invader Total Impact, with Garry Stevens, in the final strides. Ibn Al Haitham, who is still a maiden, finished 3rd to give Godolphin (Maktoum's racing stable) a twosome for Kentucky.

The 1 1/2-mile Sheema Classic was one of only two races won by non-American connections. The $2 million event went to Nayef, a Group I winner from England.

The $2 million Golden Shaheen featured a strong five-horse American contingent for the 6-furlong sprint. Eclipse Award winner Xtra Heat headed patriots Men's Exclusive, Bonapaw, Echo Eddie and Caller One. At the finish of the straight run, Caller One outdueled Echo Eddie and Xtra Heat to give the Americans a sweep of the event. Stevens won his second of the day and Caller One became a two-time winner of the race.

The $2 million Dubai Duty Free featured two Americans, Breeders' Cup Mile winner Val Royal and Del Mar Show. However, neither threatened the winner Terre a Terre, who is based in France. For the sake of a failed veterinary inspection 18 months ago that prevented a sale to Americans, Terre a Terre would have been another winner from the colonies.

The centerpiece Dubai World Cup featured last years 'Arc winner and Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Sakhee. No American-owned entrant made the big race although an American rider did. When Frankie Dettori decided to stay with the favorite Sakhee, Jerry Bailey was called to ride Street Cry.

Charging through on the rail off the final turn in the 1 1/4-mile race, Street Cry pushed through and ran away from the accomplished field to win by 4 1/2 lengths while stablemate Sahkee wilted to 3rd, beaten by more than eight lengths by the winner.

Street Cry started his racing career at Del Mar at two. After returning stateside as a promising three-year-old, Street Cry missed his shot at the Kentucky Derby last year due to a training injury. Bailey captured his fourth World Cup in its seven year history, while Street Cry has earned another invasion of America for this year's wide open handicap division.

All in all, the Americans pocketed plenty of petro-bucks in the desert over the weekend.