Longshot winner of the 2009 Dubai Duty Free (G1), Gladiatorus will once again hold longshot status in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).  Offered at 20-1 on the track’s morning line, Ahmed Ajtebi will attempt to make all on the son of former Mile winner, Silic.  Gladiatorus won the Premio Vittorio di Capua (G1) at San Siro last time out, his first victory since the Duty Free spoils. 

Regal Ransom, recent winner of the Super Derby (G2) and upset victor of the 2009 UAE Derby (G2), will jump from barrier 11 in the $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).  Few would argue that the frontrunning son of Red Ransom has a pace advantage in the Classic and, similar to his Derby wins, might get courageous on the front end.  The ten furlongs of the Classic offer some distance challenges for part of Godolphin’s Classic entry. 

Gayego, second in the 2009 Godolphin Mile (G2) and winner of the 2009 Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), was installed as the ante-post second choice in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at 5-2.  The speedy son of Gilded Time was impressively victorious in the final Sprint prep at Santa Anita, the Ancient Title Stakes (G1). 

Spanish Moon, second in a three-horse photo thriller in the 2009 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), continues his season with a cracking chance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).  A field of eight has been assembled, significantly smaller than in previous years, and Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was set as a second choice on the line of 5-2, behind Conduit.  Red Rocks, holder of multiple entries in the Sheema Classic, has returned to America for another crack at the Turf title, one he landed in 2006 at Churchill Downs. 

Cocoa Beach, winner of the 2008 UAE 1000 Guineas and UAE Oaks, was set at 8-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1).  A multiple G1 winner in America, the daughter of Doneraile Court has just one win (in a listed stakes race) this calendar year, and was third in this race last year.

Zenyatta has only three starts in her 2009 campaign, the last of which being her narrowest victory, a nose win over Anabaa’s Creation in the Clement L Hirsch (G2) at Del Mar.  Arguably, Cocoa Beach is the most accomplished filly to face Zenyatta this season but has also had only three starts in her 2009 campaign, which included a lackluster fourth in the Ballston Spa Handicap (G2) over the turf at Saratoga.  Richard Migliore will ride Cocoa Beach for Godolphin.

The Lady’s Secret is part of a Breeders’ Cup preview card at Santa Anita, which includes Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hopefuls in the Goodwood Stakes (G1).

Trainer Bob Baffert has taken his filly along at a crawl this year, with no starts in three months leading up to the Dubai Golden Shaheen and only one since then, measured a full 2.5 months ago.  Having drawn only five other competitors, the number of entrants is not of particular concern, but the quality at least two of those fillies lining-up against Indian Blessing offers pause.  Godolphin’s Music Note will shorten up to the Ballerina’s seven furlongs after a dull June return since a third behind Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.  Informed Decision carries recency on her side with a perfect 3-for-3 mark in 2009 comprised of two Grade 1 wins and a Grade 3 score in her last performance. 

In other Dubai/Saratoga-related racing news, the 2008 UAE 1000 Guineas and UAE Oaks winner, Cocoa Beach, gets back into graded stakes action following a win in a listed event earlier in the meeting.  She is one of eight to face the starter in the Ballston Spa Handicap (G2) over 8.5 furlongs on the turf.  Cocoa Beach is the most accomplished horse in the Ballston Spa, owning a lifetime record of 10 wins and two seconds and a third from 14 lifetime starts with earnings just shy of $1.7 million. 

Vineyard Haven, a disappointment when he failed to acclimate to the UAE climes, is one of nine to go in the King’s Bishop (G1) for 3-year-olds over seven furlongs.  In his only 2009 starts, the privately purchased son of Lido Palace was fourth beaten 12 lengths by Desert Party, Regal Ransom, and Redding Colliery.  The King’s Bishop is an awfully ambitious spot to make a return, especially in a field that includes successful and in-form competition such as Big Drama, Capt Candyman Can, and Munnings.  That being said, Godolphin’s team has done nothing wrong at Saratoga, winning or placing in all but one race from eight Saratoga starts this season.