Full field in the Grade I Sand Castle Fee Duty

It is the biggest day of racing in Dubai, with eight stakes races and four of them with millionaire purses. One of them is the Grade I Sand Castle Fee Duty, with a hefty purse of $2,000,000, to be run at a mile and an eight on the firm grass course. Let’s take a look at this field:

1. PREFERRED POWER (32-15-73-3) – Pulpit X Unbridled X Halo – Multiple Grade I stakes winner, has been give a five week rest by his trainer, so he should be in top form for this event. I prefer to see him at mile and a quarter, but this distance fits him nicely also. Likes to stalk his rivals and is one of the top contenders in this race.
2. THE TEMPEST (39-9-6-4) – Forest Wildcat X Archers Bay X Storm Bird – Winner of the Grade I Crock of Gold last year, but has not been to show that old form recently. In his last race he lost in a conditioned allowance race. His preferred distance is 8 furlongs, so he is stretching it a lot for this race. Needs to improve in order to have a chance.
3. TARBASH IRLANDAIS (20-7-3-3) – A.P. Indy X Irish River X Nijinsky II – Grade III winner at two, and has always been a very honest horse. The problem is that when he has faced graded stakes company over the last two years, he has faltered invariably. Furthermore, his SFs tell us he is a tad short against this caliber of horses.
4. ECHOES (25-8-1-4) – E Dubai X Deputy Minister X Damascus – Winner of the Grade II Kingab Mile four races ago, and multiple Grade I winner also. He likes to save his best efforts when the stakes are higher, and this is the case for this event. Loves to come from off the pace and he should be respected as a top selection against these.
5. JUPITER’S MOONS (IRE) (22-10-6-1) – Galileo (IRE) X Nureyev X Caerleon – Winner of the Grade I Japan Cup and the Grade I Canada Cup. He specializes in longer distances and in his last race took a cutback in distance to win a minor stakes race that served as a final prep for this big money race. Should be part of the early flight and if he finds a speed favoring surface, he is very dangerous.
6. GINGOBELL (29-9-8-2) – Pine Bluff X Silver Ghost X Gulch – His best efforts have come in distances much shorter than the mile and a quarter he has to run this weekend. Very reliable horse, he brings a check back to his stable each time he gets saddled. However, he is taking a step up in class, and with quality speed horses here, his race will be pretty tough.
7. TETE THE UNDEAD (AUS) (18-7-6-1) – Testa Rossa (AUS) X Unbridled’s Song X Diesis – This can be the “Speed of the Speed” in this race. He is showing marked improvement over his last races, just missing on the GI Roy Higgins on his last race. If he can impose easy fractions up front, he can upset this field at 12/1 juicy odds.
8. OTTO YOU DO IT (21-5-3-2) – War Chant X Nureyev X Affirmed – Nice mare who takes on the Big Boys in this event. His last race was a conditioned allowance race victory, and does not have any graded scores in his record. Really tough task for her.
9. SEEKING SAL (22-7-3-5) – Seeking the Gold X Kris S. X Magesterial – Winner of the Grade III Jennifer Connley in his last race with a very impressive SF of 114. He is improving with every race, and returns on a short two weeks rest. He will be on a stalking mode and is another one of the Top Honchos in here.
10. CAUSE’S WOOD (IRE) (25-13-6-3) – Giant’s Causeway (IRE) X Woodman X Tough Knight – He was very disappointing in the Roy Higgins and returns from a five week freshener. This is another speed horse, of which we have plenty of in this event. If he goes back to the form shown late last year, he can be a tough cookie in this race.
11. TETE NOVEMBRE (IRE) (30-9-8-8) – Noverre (IRE) X Saddler’s Wells X Blushing Groom (FR) – He ran to score very impressive wins late last year, with SFs that will put him right on top against this group. However, his only race in 2006 was a disaster, although it was over a yielding course. Gets a nice rest, working great during the mornings, and we should expect an improved effort in his part.
12. CONGO (23-10-3-2) – Arazi X Mari’s Book X Known Fact – Brilliant win on the Grade II Arcade Handicap last time out. However, he is coming from short rest and he tends to run better when fully rested. He likes to be in contention from the gitgo, which is another factor against him. Too low odds for me.
13. BEYER BEWARE (21-7-5-2) – Dayjur X Distorted Humor X Troy (IRE) – The year 2006 so far has been a blessing for this horse, with three graded scores already. He likes to come from way off the pace, and he will be a presence to be noted in the stretch. The ten furlong distance is somewhat of a question mark, but he is his best form lifetime and can not be overlooked.
14. ARAZI’S FAN (33-10-9-5) – Arazi X Lear Fan X Creetown (ENG) – This is a horse which best efforts have come in allowance races. His SFs do not show he can be competitive against these; he will need to improve a lot to stand a chance in here.

This is a difficult race to handicap. Many horses that are getting into top form for this event, lots of speed and tons of variants to take into consideration makes this race a handicapping puzzle. In my opinion, the winner should come from one of these horses: Preferred Power, Echoes, Seeking Sal and Beyer Beware. The odds push me to give the advantage to Beyer Beware, but do not discard any of these four.

Good Luck to all!!!!!