URC World Cup Contest Review
The URC Dubai World Cup Contest concluded this past weekend. Here is a review of how this one played out in 2022:
Pegasus World Cup – 01/29
The contest started in Florida with this 9F route on the dirt. Valdeschant came in as the favorite after his 2nd place showing in the URC Classic just 2 months before. He was able to get Fernando a 3rd place showing as 7-1 shot A Dark Song for Waremblem was able to take this one down. Deceptive Moon, a Cashmoney trainee, couldn’t hold the lead down the stretch and finished in 2nd place. Fredje rounded out the point system with his colt Unbeatable Ted coming 4th.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem 10, Cashmoney 7, Fernando 5
Pegasus World Cup Turf – 01/29
On the same day in Florida we had the 9.5F turf route to showcase some of our best turf racers. Waremblem completed the clean sweep on the day with a 1 ½ length win with Skarsgard. 15-1 longshot Christmas Tree, for trainer Bobmarley, came roaring down the stretch to get up for 2nd place. Jwest’s Quad Stars was up in time for 3rd, and just inching out Fredje, who came 4th in both of today’s events.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem 20, Cashmoney 7, Bobmarley 7
Saudi Cup – 02/26
This was a new addition to the World Cup contest this season. Once again Fernando had the favorite with Valdeschant and once again he got up for a podium finish, but was unable to win. He finished 2nd only losing to Metallinut’s Good Humor Truck, who made his URC debut coming from the ASR residency. Fredje, the model of consistency, came 3rd with Unbeatable Ted who had come 4th in the debut race in this contest just about a month ago. Pegasus World Cup winner A Dark Song rounded out the awarded points in this one with a 4th place finish.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem 23, Fernando 12, Fredje 11
Al Quoz Sprint – 03/26
Someone slow the Waremblem barn down! Another podium finish for this outfit as Hirschfanger picked up lots of pieces late to get up for 2nd place. 13-1 longshot Parkinson was able to take this one down and get his trainer Magoo some valuable points. Touchdown Rams led most of the way, but faded to 3rd to get Pboy on the board. Wrapping up the points was Edenbridge Area for Cashmoney.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem, 30, Fernando 12, Fredje 11
Dubai Sheema Classic – 03/26
The clear favorite acted as such, and just like his name Steamrolled this field for new trainer Metallinut. The race for 2nd also was not also not competive as 15-1 shot Kingzambo cleared the 3rd place finisher Causeway Jinx (Punter) by 6 lengths to give Fredje some much needed points. We also spotted Teejay for the first time in this contest with a 4th place finish with his colt Make Your Mistakes.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem 30, Metallinut 20, Fredje 18
Godolphin Mile – 03/26
Maybe Waremblem was feeling the pressure, maybe he wasn’t, but it didn’t matter as he got a big 2nd place finish in this one with the favorite Volsunga. He also watched as Metallinut’s History Lives Here finished out of the running, cementing the World Cup contest victory with one race still to go. Eye For Quality, for trainer Rollingrock, claimed the top spot with a nice run late. 20-1 shot Port Harbor got Oakridge on the board, and Fredje with another finish in the points as Valiant Cat Thief got up for 4th.
Standings (Top 3): Waremblem 37, Fredje 21, Metallinut 20
Dubai World Cup – 03/26
I got a win! Jwest’s Master D’Oro LV, liked the added distance and ran the biggest figure of his career to take down this one. Fredje’s Tactical Design finished 2nd, giving Fredje enough points to secure 2nd place in the contest. A huge run for this very consistent barn. Favorite Valdeschant for Fernando finished an impressive run through the Cup races as he was on the podium for 3 of the races. Oakridge’s Victoria Court rounded out the top 4.
FINAL STANDINGS
| Trainer | Points |
| Waremblem | 37 |
| Fredje | 28 |
| Metallinut | 20 |
| Fernando | 17 |
| Jwest | 15 |
| Cashmoney | 10 |
| Rollingrock | 10 |
| Magoo | 10 |
| Oakridge | 8 |
| Bobmarley | 7 |
| Pboy | 5 |
| Punter | 5 |
| Teejay | 3 |
Thanks to Chris (Metallinut) for running the contest and giving some nice credits and horses to the top 3 finishers in this one. It takes a lot of hard work to run these, so thank you!
Stay tuned for some URC articles about the ongoing battle in our Triple Crown contest.
A splendid summary of the World Cup series. I didn’t know the exact point totals but was fairly confident if I could hit the board a couple of times I’d take the top spot. I would have liked to pick up a win Saturday, but sometimes, par is good enough.