Dick’s Picks for Meydan Thursday, March 3, 2011

Race 2: Al Bastakiya Stakes sponsored by Emirates Airline About 1 3/16 Mi. on the Tapeta main track $250,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO

This race will be run around two turns with a short run into the first turn. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. REEM (Galileo) looked great in her first two starts here on the Tapeta against her age group then was a terrific second in a group two stakes on the turf behind stablemate RIVER JETEZ. BRIDGEFIELD (Speightstown) was a good third behind ZANZAMAR in a conditions race then was fourth in the 2,000 Guineas (G3). Al Zaroonis’ runners seem to do well going long. PAULINHO (Equal Stripes) was a grade one stakes winner last season in Argentina on the dirt and has two races over the track to get ready for this. Selections : #9 REEM #4 BRIDGEFIELD #1 PAULINHO

Race 3: Emirates Airline Trophy About 5 fur. on the Turf $175,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run down the turf course’s straightaway with the high number post positions racing closest to the grandstand. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. DOHASA (Bold Fact) was a good second on the turf three starts back then raced well on the Tapeta which should have him fit and ready for his return to the turf. He was only beaten three lengths last out when he drew post 14 going seven furlongs on the Tapeta and should be tough in here. MUTHEEB (Danzig) was part of the blanket finish last out here going six furlongs on the turf and he should be fit with three starts here this season. PROHIBIT (Oasis Dream) was a narrow winner here going five furlongs on the turf in very fast time under a brilliant ride by Soumillon. He has plenty of back class and will get a clear run on the far side. Selections : #3 DOHASA #11 MUTHEEB #1 PROHIBIT

Race 4: Mahab Al Shimaal Stakes (Group 3) sponsored by Emirates Airline About 6 Fur. on the Tapeta main track. $200,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run around one turn on the main track. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. BANKABLE (Medicean) raced extremely well two starts ago when he was a good fourth going this distance on the Tapeta then had a rough trip going a mile. He draws well today with Ryan Moore back in the irons. CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie) won his first four career starts including three on all-weather tracks and then a win in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. He returns here off a long layoff and should be the one to catch. BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic) looked good last time out here when he won going seven furlongs in very good time. Selections : #6 BANKABLE #8 CONVEYANCE #10 BARBECUE EDDIE

Race 5: Burj Nahaar Stakes (Group 3) sponsored by Emirates Airline About 1 Mile On the Tapeta main track $200,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run out of a chute down the backstretch. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. MENDIP (Harlan’s Holiday) passes on the Maktoum Challenge today at ten furlongs and shows up here in this one mile event where he is the top rated entrant. His win here going a mile on Opening Night was excellent and he comes back at the same weight. OUR GIANT (Giant’s Causeway) raced evenly on the turf here last out going a mile but won here on the all-weather Opening Night coming from far back. Draws inside but will probably drop back and will have to weave through traffic. SANGAREE (Awesome ) woke up here last out with a race over the track and he was a good second going this distance carrying this weight. Draws much better than he did in his last two starts here. Selections : #9 MENDIP #1 OUR GIANT #6 SANGAREE

Race 6: Stakes (Group 2) sponsored by Emirates Airline About 1 ½ Mi on the Turf $250,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run around two turns on the turf course with a long run into the first turn. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. INTERACTION (Easing Along) is an Argentine turf horse that has won group one stakes going seven furlongs through 1 ½ miles. He was a good third in his Tapeta debut last out despite being in heavy traffic. MONTEROSSO (Dubawi) won a group two stake at Ascot going this distance last season and returns off a long layoff for Al Zarooni. CALVADOS BLUES (Lando) was a sharp winner here last out going this distance and gets a major rider switch to . Selections : #2 INTERACTION #7 MONTEROSSO #3 CALVADOS BLUES

Race 7: Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three (Group 2) sponsored by Emirates Airline About 1 ¼ Mi. on the Tapeta main track $300,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will be run around two turns on the main track with a long run into the first turn. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. MUSIR (Redoute’s Choice) loved this track when he raced here last year and he should be ready to improve off a good second here last out going a mile in fast time from post 13. Draws the rail today with Soumillon. GITANO HERNANDO (Hernando) made a wide middle move last out before weakening and should come on from that race with new rider John Murtagh. TWICE OVER (Observatory) is using this not only as a prep for the World Cup but as a tightener. He draws way outside and will probably not be abused as the last thing he needs is a grueling race. Selections : #1 MUSIR #11 GITANO HERNANDO #13 TWICE OVER

Race 8: Stakes (Group 2) sponsored by Emirates Airline About 1 1/8 Mi. on the Turf $250,000 Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up

This race will start down the backstretch and will be run around one turn. Use the www.emiratesracing.com web site to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-ages conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. In this race, program numbers equals post positions. (Sakhee) was a romping winner here in his seasonal debut when he overcame post 13. He draws the rail today is favorably weighted. HEARTS OF FIRE (Firebreak) disappointed here last out going a mile behind the red-hot DERBAAS and has plenty of back class. POET’S VOICE (Dubawi) draws the far outside but he had a huge win last year in a group one stakes when he beat RIP VAN WINKLE going a mile. He was freshened up for a run here and this is his prep for the Dubai Duty Free (G1) three weeks from now.

Selections : #1 PRESVIS #6 HEARTS OF FIRE #12 POET’S VOICE