2010 Dubai Duty Free - Al Shemali

[GBeret83]

Considering America is not particularly known as having strong turf horses on the world stage, I thought 2 of the 3 American horses, Take The Points and The Usual Q.T. gave a really good accounting of themselves in this race. The Usual Q.T. ran 4th and Take The Points ended up 5th among a 16 horse international field. That's very respectable, IMO.

[GBeret83]

Al Shemali has really struggled racing for Godolphin in 2011. His best finish for them was a 2nd behind the Mike De Kock filly, Mahbooba, in the listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket. But he was beaten some 6 lengths by her that day. But I would leery of Al Shemali again in Dubai in 2012, because he's back in the barn of trainer Ali Al Raihe. Who trained him for his career best effort winning this race, and for his 3rd place finish behind Lizard's Desire and Gloria De Campeao in the SAIC. JMO.