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The UAE Derby (gr. II) has not yet produced a legitimate Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender, although several of the past winners have attempted, without much success, to capture the Roses. The race is famed for its large purse, $2 million, unheard of for a three year old this early in the year. Run on the Dubai World Cup undercard, the UAE Derby gave us Discreet Cat back in 2006, whose blowout performance headlined an impressive sophomore campaign that season.
This year's edition of the race is solid, if lacking in a superstar. Numaany, a Kentucky-bred son of A.P. Indy, is well regarded for Godolphin despite only one win in four starts (and that win coming in an Aqueduct maiden race). He finished fifth in the UAE 2000 Guineas (gr. III) before leading in the listed Al Bastakiya and losing in the final stretch of the race by less than two lengths.
The Chilean filly Cocoa Beach, also owned by Godolphin, has six wins in seven starts to her credit, including the UAE Oaks at the end of February.
Rock Ascot makes his first start outside of Uruguay. Trained by Doug Watson, he is 5 for 9 lifetime and has already won at 1 ¼ and 1 ½ miles.
America's hopes rest on Massive Drama, making his first start for trainer Dale Romans. Previously in the barn of Bob Baffert, Massive Drama was a leading two-year-old of last year, winning the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III), but failed to find the winner's circle in three starts after that. Being by Kafwain, there are some distance concerns surrounding this horse.
The South African-bred Royal Vintage defeated Numaany in the Al Bastakiya, turning the tables on rival Honour Devil, who nipped him by a half length in the UAE 2000 Guineas. Honour Devil, whose head loss to Royal Vintage was his first defeat in four starts, breaks from the very next stall.
Rounding out the field are Strike the Deal, making his first start since being fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and Iide Kenshin, a Japanese-bred colt by Thunder Gulch who is three for seven lifetime and is making his first start outside of Japan.
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