After Tuesday morning when Dubai World Cup favorite ALBERTUS MAXIMUS appeared a bit washy, he held better composure on Wednesday. I was told that his handlers sponge him down right before he comes onto the track, which may offer some explanation for his general soggyness, although the white sweat was still a bit noticable.
Regardless of his appearance, I can’t knock what I’ve actually seen of the favorite. The media and public are not glowing about him as everyone did Curlin (obviously, his past form keeps from making those comparisons). His detractors here are plentiful, with those against his chances believing the Donn Handicap wasn’t a great test to him, nor do they believe he can get the ten furlongs against this field. At the same time, no one is just over the top about the son of Albert The Great. The field assembled for the Dubai World Cup is diverse in many ways, and one thing is clear – few will be surprised by the result of the final race at Nad Al Sheba, whatever that result may be.
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[...] – Albertus Maximus, likely Dubai World Cup favorite, looked “awesome” galloping on Monday, said assistant Trish McLaughlin. But Pat Cummings, in Dubai for the races and blogging at Dubai Race Night, reports the 5-year-old BC Dirt Mile winner looked “noticeably washy.” The pictures back him up. [3/25/09 Update: Albertus improved on Tuesday, and Cummings wrote, that despite his general sogginess, “I can’t knock what I’ve actually seen of the favorite.” [...]