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Down and out Malek's racing career ends in the Dubai desert
Posted: Friday March 24, 2000 05:19 PM
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Malek injured his leg and probably will never race again, leaving the $6 million Dubai World Cup with five U.S. horses. The 7-year-old Chilean-bred horse appeared sore after a workout, and X-rays showed a tear in the right foreleg. He was then scratched from Saturday's race, the world's richest horse race. Malek had finished fourth in the World Cup in 1998 and was second last year. "I haven't spoken to the owners yet, but him being a 7-year-old, I think his future now will be in stud rather than racing," trainer Richard Mandella said Friday. Mandella is the only foreign trainer to take part in the four previous World Cups since the race was first run in 1996. He finished second to Cigar with Soul of the Matter in 1996. Malek, owned by Great Falls S.A., has earned $2,382,468 on a record of 10 wins, seven seconds and two thirds in 23 starts. Mandella's hopes for a first World Cup victory now rest with Puerto Madera, who finished third in the Santa Anita Handicap. He will be ridden by the world's most successful jockey, Laffit Pincay, who is making his first appearance in Dubai. The favorite in the 13-horse field for the 11/4-mile run on Nad al Sheba's dirt track is Dubai Millennium, owned by the Godolphin Racing stable of Sheiks Mohammed, Maktoum and Hamdam al Maktoum of Dubai's ruling family. The 4-year-old colt was made the 4-7 favorite by Ladbrokes, the British bookmaker. Ladbrokes' second choice at 9-2 is Behrens, another of the U.S.-based horses, who was fifth in the 1998 World Cup. Puerto Madera was 10-1. Betting is not allowed in Dubai because of its Islamic laws. There will be wagering in other countries, including the United States, where bets can be placed in 35 states. Behrens' trainer, James Bond, said he was excited about his 6-year-old's chances. The horse snapped a four-race losing streak by winning the 11/4-mile Gulfstream Park Handicap on Feb. 26. "We are confident and pleased with Behrens' form," he said. Behrens will be ridden by Jorge Chavez. The other U.S. horses in the race are Ecton Park, Public Purse and Saint's Honor. Italian jockey Frankie Dettori rides Dubai Millennium, a British-bred Group One winner, whose name was changed from Yareek for the sole purpose of winning the first Dubai World Cup in the millennium. Dubai Millennium won six of his first seven starts on the grass in England and France, including the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot. In his last start, he won the 11/4-mile Maktoum Challenge at Nad al Sheba. Jockeys for the other U.S.-based starters are Chris McCarron on Ecton Park, third in both starts this year and winner of the Jim Dandy at Saratoga and Super Derby at Louisiana Downs in 1999; Corey Nakatani on Public Purse, making his debut on dirt; and Kent Desormeaux on Saint's Honor. The other Goldolphin starters are Worldly Manner, second in the Maktoum Challenge on Feb. 10 and seventh in the stable's first attempt to win the Kentucky Derby last year, and Gracioso, who makes his 2000 debut. Completing the field are Indigenous, Lear Spear, Running Stag, Strudel Fitz and World Cleek. Each starter will carry 126 pounds. Six other races, including the UAE Derby with prize money of $500,000 will be run Saturday. There also are two $2 million races and a $1 million race on the card.
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