Gloria De Campeao wins Dubai World Cup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)

Gloria de Campeao won the $10-million Dubai World Cup Saturday in a thrilling photo finish, nosing out longshot Lizard's Desire to capture the world's richest horse race.

The Brazilian-bred Gloria de Campeao, trained by Frenchman Pascal Bary, finished second last year but held off Lizard's Desire at the line to narrowly earn the victory.

Favorites Gitano Hernando and Gio Pont never seriously challenged during the 1 1/4-mile race on the newly opened Medyan Racecourse.

"This is the best win of my life," jockey Tiago Pereira said. "It's unbelievable."

The race was the highlight of Saturday's eight-race, $26 million program at the newly opened Medyan Racecourse. Despite the economic slowdown, Dubai's rulers shelled out $2 billion to construct two racetracks, a grandstand that holds 60,000 spectators, a 290-room luxury hotel, a marina and a horse racing museum.

The event drew many of the region's rich and famous, and they were treated to a thrilling finale that more than made up for last year's dominant victory by Well Armed, who finished 14 lengths ahead of Gloria de Campeao.

As the favorites faltered, Gloria De Campeao sped out early and maintained the lead throughout despite the strong finishes by Lizard's Desire and third-place Allybar. The finish was so close that Lizard's Desire jockey Kevin Shea initially started celebrating before being told he had fallen short by a nose.

Bary said the key to the victory "was the heart" of the horse.

"If he's alone after he's taken the lead and no one comes after him, it is so difficult to catch him," Bary said. "He wants to fight."

In the earlier races, the Dubai royal family showed they remain a force when it comes to horse racing.

Al Shemali, owned by the crown prince of Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, won the $5 million Dubai Duty Free in one of the day's biggest upsets.

Al Shemali was not expected to challenge the favorites Presvis and Alexandros, and was given 40-1 odds in Britain of winning. But he came on toward the end and outran Bankable.

Favorites Presvis finished 11th and Alexandros 14th.

"It was a pleasant surprise but the stable had been in terrific form and I knew he'd stay," Al Shemali's jockey Royston Ffrench said. "It was the case of getting a clear split and we got it. It's the most prestigious win of my career."

It was the third victory for the royal family in the eight races, including the $1 million Godolphin Mile by a horse from Sheik Mohammed's Godolphin Racing stables.

Since the 1980s, Sheik Mohammed has turned Godolphin into a major force in horse racing with purchases of top bloodstock around the world and the establishment of United States-based operations in Kentucky and South Carolina.

Sheik Mohammed's Calming Influence held off a late charge from Green Coast in the Godolphin Mile.

The five-year-old Calming Influence, ridden by United Arab Emirates native Ahmad Ajtebi, emerged from an early struggle with Cat Junior and Le Drakkar. It appeared Calming Influence was coasting to victory but had to hold off a challenge from always game Green Coast. The favorite Desert Party faded and never made a serious challenge.

In other races, Musir pulled away from Raihana and Della Barba to win the $2 million UAE Derby.

It was a 1-2 finish for a cousin of Sheik Mohammed. Musir eased past Raihana down the straight. Della Barba, who challenged for the lead midway through the race, finished third.

"It's huge," Musir's trainer Mike de Kock said. "I was never worried during the race. I said before this was a very good horse. It knows exactly what to do in the race."

Solid Choice set the pace early in the UAE Derby but faded. Musir, the race favorite, emerged alongside Raihana and Della Barba before pulling away and winning by about a length.

Kinsale King won the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen outpacing favorite Rocket Man. Jaafer won the opening Dubai Kahayla Classic and Joy and Fun took the Al Quoz Sprint.