G1 – 2000m – Dirt
1 | Ajuste Fiscal | Enjoyed a lot of success in Uruguay including at G1 level. Has adapted easily to Meydan, not beaten far in either G2 attempt. Ratings would suggest this may be just too challenging. |
2 | Capezzano | Chances here if he could recapture the zip of his runaway G1 Meydan victory in 2019. But he has been struggling to get his front-running fractions right and might again fade. |
3 | Chuwa Wizard | Surged from midfield to easily win an 1800m G1 in Chukyo, Japan, in December, a career best performance. Things didn’t go so well in the Saudi Cup in Riyadh where he could never get competitive. |
4 | Gifts Of Gold | Doesn’t have a great Meydan record so far, either on turf or dirt. However he did gain a shock win in a very valuable 3000m turf handicap in Riyadh last month but this is a very different test. |
5 | Great Scot | Enjoyed a winning spree in Riyadh, before running a very good third in the Saudi Cup over 1800m there last month. Not yet fully proven at this trip, but he looks to be an improving horse. |
6 | Hypothetical | Seems to love this track, winning twice and second twice from four Meydan starts. Couldn’t quite reach Salute The Soldier in a G1 here this month but that represented another step forward. |
7 | Jesus’ Team | Though he has only won one of his last eight starts, he has been placed almost each time and usually has run way above general expectations including when second in a massively valuable G1 at Gulfstream Park in January. A real streetfighter. |
8 | Magny Cours | A lightly-raced six-year-old who won both starts last year, having to battle hard each time. They were on turf but he prepped for this when winning on the Chantilly all-weather this month. Interesting. |
9 | Military Law | Led 300m out, posting a career best – after a 320-day break winning a 1600m G2 here in January. Not as good though not disgraced when sixth in the Saudi Cup last time. Proven at this trip. |
10 | Mystic Guide | Formidable here if he can replicate his excellent US dirt form. Most recently he was always travelling comfortably, skipping clear once asked by his rider, easily winning a G3 at Oaklawn Park. |
11 | Salute The Soldier | Any concerns that this 2000m might just find him out were dismissed when he led virtually from the gate and kept on strongly to win a G1 earlier this month. He’s got a big fan club here. |
12 | Sleepy Eyes Todd | A cheap purchase and a major bargain including two 1400m wins late in 2020 – one at G3 level. Not yet proven at 2000m but he was staying on late when fifth in the 1800m Saudi Cup last time. |
13 | Thegreatcollecti on | Hugely experienced here, though mostly over shorter. Went close to winning a G2 two starts back and may have been unlucky not to have finished closer in a G1 last time. But he looks vulnerable. |
14 | Title Ready | Has tended to struggle at the very top level in the US and also has not yet proven his stamina for 2000m. Nonetheless he comes here in winning form, rallying to land a 1700m G3 at the Fair Grounds. |