I’ll stop short of calling Ushba Tesoro the best dirt horse in the world, but it’s a claim I fully expect his backers to be making if he repeats in the Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup. I give him a 25 percent chance at 3-1 fair odds to do so on Saturday at Meydan.
Since Flightline left no doubt who the best dirt horse was during his 2022 tour de force, the best horses have been taking turns beating each other in marquee events with White Abarrio, National Treasure and Señor Buscador winning seven-figure races over the last five months.
Free PPs for $12 million Dubai World Cup.
Ushba Tesoro was fifth to White Abarrio in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and then second to Señor Buscador in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). This was the same Señor Buscador who was second to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup. However, both White Abarrio, who was 10th, and National Treasure, fourth, were up the truck in Riyadh and do not show up here.
Is it Ushba Tesoro’s turn again? I think so. His win in the World Cup last year was exemplary. Although losses in the Classic and Saudi Cup among wins in his native Japan were disappointing to connections, none was really a step backward. At his best he’s the best of these, and that’s worth a bet at 3-1 or better.
Kabirkhan and Derma Sotogake both make sense. The former won the local prep for this, and the latter won the UAE Derby (G2) on this track last year. Neither would surprise, but I do think they will be over-bet, whereas Ushba Tesoro might not be.
From a long-shot perspective, I’m most interested in Defunded. He is 49-1 on the morning line and does not appear to getting any respect in the overseas ante-post markets, either. My fair odds are 50-1, so, yeah, I see a win as unlikely. But I think he’s usable in exotics with the obvious horses, and if he is indeed a potential $100 winner, then he is worth a small action bet to win as well.
The Dubai World Cup and the preceding seven races are part of the world pool. The World Pool offers huge pools and a chance to bet against players from around the world. For example, for the Saudi Cup, the pool was $2.6 million. World pools are available for win, place, exacta, trifecta and quinella pools.
