California Chrome a better Dubai World Cup bet than US winner
Published:
Completing the double of the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup is not something that should be underestimated.
Silver Charm is the only horse to win both races within 12 months (May 1997 and March 1998), while Animal Kingdom also completed the double with a gap year when surging clear in the Dubai showpiece in 2013.
California Chrome will be the latest to attempt this 1m2f double, with trainer Art Sherman confirming that his four-year-old will make the trip to Meydan for the world’s richest horse race.
It may be some consolation for the trainer after California Chrome failed at the final obstacle earlier this season when looking to become the first US Triple Crown winner since 1978.
He had already landed the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and was duly sent off odds-on for the Belmont Stakes over the longer trip of 1m4f. Whether due to irregular hold-up tactics or a lack of the required stamina, California Chrome only finished fourth.
Victor Espinoza’s regular mount has only triumphed on one of his last five starts too, but he did run close to his best in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, taking third in a three-way photo at Santa Anita.
Most recently he was second to Shared Belief at Santa Anita, whose only defeat in 10 starts was when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, having been heavily bumped leaving the stalls.
It would be hard to anticipate California Chrome reversing this form, but the vibe is that Shared Belief will target a Group 1 at Santa Anita on March 7th over the Dubai World Cup on March 28th, despite the Meydan contest being worth 10 times more in prize money.
Therefore, it makes far greater sense at the prices to back California Chrome at 8/1 to win the Dubai World, ahead of Shared Belief at 6/1.
The market is currently headed by Toast Of New York at 9/2, who hasn’t been seen since taking second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. However, improvement is expected as that was his first race on dirt.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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