R1: EGA Casthouse Trophy – TB – Maiden – 1400m(~7F) – Dirt
2 Bee Jersey - 7 Fawree
- 5 Capezzano
Bee Jersey is a Charles Fipke homebred trained by Doug
Watson. He won a trial on December 14th quite convincingly, and
being a son of Jersey Town is naturally suited to the dirt. Fawree, a Mike de
Kock trainee for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, is a son of Candy Ride
out of the incredibly talented mare Keeper Hill. She was a three time Grade 1
winner, including a victory in the Kentucky Oaks. This is her last foal.
Capezzano is a son of Bernardini who was a solid second in his last start to
the impressive Cosmo Charlie. Should continue to do well here.
R2: EGA Al Taweelah Alumina Trophy – TB - Conditions – 1400M(~7F) – Dirt
4 Mufeed – 1 Fly at Dawn – 6 Nomorerichblondes
Mufeed was the ultimate professional in his first start,
winning handily. Size wise he appeared to tower over his opponents, so he is
quite mature for a two year old. Fly at Dawn has three wins from five starts on
the season for trainer Charlie Appleby. His first attempt on dirt as a son of
Discreet Cat, he should take well to the surface. Nomorerichblondes was a bit
of an upset in her debut victory last out and has her work cut out for her
against the boys here.
R3: EGA Billets
Trophy – TB – Maiden – 1600M(~8F) – Dirt
14 Mazeed – 15 Somerset House – 5 Dangerous Thought
Had to settle with the two top two year olds over the older
horses. Mazeed was expected to win in his last start but ran third to the
impressive Cosmo Charlie. With a start under him now, he looks to improve for
trainer Mike de Kock. Somerset House is a very well bred son of Hard Spun for
Godolphin, his dam being a half to Fast Cookie, the talented dam of MG1W
Frosted. Dangerous Thought is a son of Super Saver and Thursday marks his first
start on dirt. The track will ideally improve him, but if he fails here one
must think he just lacks talent. Taking a chance on him. Honorable mention in
his first start is First Start, and the Drosselmeyer son Just Pretend.
R4: EGA Jebel Ali Trophy – TB – Handicap - 1200M(6F) – Dirt
4 Shoreditch - 6
Mathematics - 5 Archaic
Shoreditch is the obvious choice here after his romp in his
debut race on the first of December. The talented son of Dubawi won easily.
Mathematics is a solid choice for Doug Watson, coming in off of a win just 200M
further over this surface at the beginning of December. This may be a hair too
short for him but the field is murky outside of Shoreditch. Archaic rounds out
as he has a win and a third from two starts at this distance and though he was
far behind the top two finishers in his last start, he was the best of the
rest.
R5: EGA Excellence Trophy – TB – Handicap – 1400M(7F) – Dirt
7 Winslow – 1 Comicas – 9 Alareef
The two sons of Distorted Humor head my selection. First
off, Winslow is a son of Justwhistledixie, who was a graded stakes winner but
is best known as the dam of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner New Years’ Day, as
well as the highly-touted MGSW Mohaymen. Curiously enough Winslow was sent to
Europe and has one win and one third from five starts there, three on the turf
and two on all weather. He should adapt well to the dirt and if he has half of
either brother’s talent, should win here.
Comicas is another with a pure dirt pedigree who will finally get his
first try on the surface here. He has two wins and two seconds from six starts
as well as a second in listed company here in Meydan at the beginning of the
year on turf. Dirt may be the right move for him with trainer Charlie Appleby. Alareef comes in off a win here at Meydan at
1200m, his last four starts he has placed in the top four and has two wins.
Seems to be a rather consistent horse. I should also honorable mention Desert
Force who has been doing quite well in his two starts this season.
R6: EGA Potlines Trophy – TB – Handicap – 1600M(8F) – Dirt
8 Baroot – 7 North America – 10 Power Crazy
Two sons of Dubawi this time around. Baroot comes in for
Mike de Kock, his first start of the season after having a moderately
successful season prior. Should be prepped well. North America enters off a win
in his last start over this distance, successfully breaking his maiden then in
his seventh start. Power Crazy is an American import who won his debut impressively
for Gary and Mary West and trainer Wayne Catalano at Churchill Downs back in
June. Will be interesting to see how he fares here.
R7: EGA Guinea Trophy – TB – Handicap – 2200M(11F) – Dirt
4 Dehbashi – 14 Skygazer – 6 Piepowder Court
Dehbashi broke his maiden last out over 2000M, should not
have trouble with the extra distance. Son of Blame has some class for Doug
Watson. Skygazer in his last three starts sends to the lead and that seems to
be his ideal tactic. Distance should not
be an issue for him. Piepowder Court also broke maiden in his last start over 2000M,
but that was in 2015. Horse has some major issues as he is a six year old with
only three starts under his belt. If he stays sound he has the chance to do
alright here.
R8: EGA Al Taweelah Trophy – TB – Handicap – 1600M(8F) –
Dirt
2 Sky Jockey – 3 Hello - 10 Freserburgh
Sky Jockeey is the most proven horse in the field and his
two starts of this season have been productive so far. He enjoys this distance
with a win and second from two starts. Hello enters off of a win in his last
start, not really bred for dirt but if he did it at Jebel Ali why not here too?
Fraserburgh enters off of a win at Jebel Ali in November. This field is not too
competitive, he should do well.
