The Brown Bomber.
The heavyweight title holder for over 106 months.
25 successful title defenses.
2009 Dubai World Cup champion?
So thinks trainer Jerry Barton, or at least, he dreams of it. On Friday morning at Nad Al Sheba, the Saudi-based Barton looks on intently as his Dubai World Cup hope works three furlongs.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamed of being in that winner’s circle the last few weeks,” Barton says, eager to talk to the only media member on track at 6:15 A.M.
The 6-year-old son of Lode has slowly rounded into form after his initial disappointment in Dubai in 2007. Racing for Saudi interests of Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer, he’s done little wrong since then.
“His last two for me have been over 12 furlongs and even though he won one, I’m convinced he is a ten furlong horse.”
Joe Louis will make his third start of the form cycle on Saturday evening. He won over 2400 meters at Jandariah when defeating Muller in the Crown Prince Cup. The setup wasn’t as good when he was third behind Muller and Paris Perfect in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup six weeks later. The big goal was known, and he was naturally short after winning first up.
Friday morning, Joe Louis worked like the champ for whom he is named in the morning dawn. A lead horse broke off at the 1400 meters pole and Joe Louis sat behind, waiting to go. As the lead reached the long straight, Joe was asked to pick it up and galloped past his rabbit with ease, then past the winning post and around the turn.
“I’m happy with him, he’s doing great, but it’s a tough race.”
Indeed, what a way for Nad Al Sheba to go out. The largest field for the Dubai World Cup assembles on Saturday, the last race over the track. For the most part, the final results of the previous World Cups have surprised very few save perhaps Almutawakel in 1999. The wrecking ball isn’t far off for Nad Al Sheba, but there is likely going to be one massive explosion of emotion if Joe Louis is first past the post.
“I love this horse,” panned Barton. And then he walked off.