A 4-year-old Ghostzapper colt bred and owned by Godolphin, trained by Mike Stidham and ridden by Luis Saez, the favourite Mystic Guide (8-5) rated the pace throughout the race before charging to a 3 3/4-length victory in the Group 1 $12 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday night at Meydan.
“That was our plan,” Saez said. “Rate and get in that position. He relaxed waiting for the top of the stretch. I know he’s going to give me that kick. He did it. He’s a champion.”
Chuwa Wizard (18-1) was second followed by Magny Cours (9-2), early pacesetter Hypothetical (11-1) and Jesus’ Team (4-1).
Following up his six-length victory last month in the Razorback Handicap (G3), Mystic Guide was clocked Saturday at 2:01.61 without a run-up for the 1 1/4 miles on the fast dirt track.
“He’s a young horse,” said Saez, whose first ride on Mystic Guide was in that victory at Oaklawn Park. “The last time I rode him I knew he would be a Grade 1 winner. I know he’s going to get better and better.”
The feature started 14 minutes late on an 80-degree night after Great Scot and Military Law got loose before the start and were scratched, leaving 12 horses in the race. Great Scot threw Frankie Dettori in the mounting yard; Military Law dismounted Antonio Fresu during the first attempt to load the horses.
The commotion caused some of the horses to sweat nervously. But not Mystic Guide.
“It was a little bit scary, but he stayed relaxed,” Saez said. “The horses on the inside started getting a little nervous, and I was a little worried. But he did a great job.”
After the start Mystic Guide settled in third behind Hypothetical and eventual last-place finisher Capezzano (31-1). That is where Saez kept him for the first half of the race while Hypothetical set early fractions of 25.13 and 48.91.
“I had a good feeling when I saw him lying in third on the backside,” Stidham said. “Then down the lane it was amazing.”
Moving into the far turn, Mystic Guide passed Capezzano into second. He was 1 1/2 lengths behind and gaining on Hypothetical, who made three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.75.
By the time they reached the top of the stretch, Mystic Guide put his nose in front as the clock ticked to 1:36.80 for the first mile.
Making a late move from fifth, Chuwa Wizard closed with a strong move but could not make up ground on Mystic Guide. Magny Cours rallied from eighth to finish in the money.
The other two U.S. horses, Sleepy Eyes Todd (23-1) and Title Ready (15-1), finished 10th and 11th, respectively.
Although he did not outline any immediate plans for Mystic Guide, Stidham punctuated his first trip to Meydan by offering a long-range goal for the same time next year.
“I’m so proud to be here on the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup for (Dubai ruler and Godolphin founder) Sheikh Mohammed, and the sky’s the limit for this horse,” he said. “We’d love to come back next year. I’ll know the lay of the land better then.”
Saez’s biggest previous victory would have been aboard Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby had he not been disqualified. Now he has his signature triumph.
“That was my dream when I was a little kid,” said Saez, 28, a native of Panama. “I can’t believe I’m here right now. This is the most beautiful, biggest thing for me.”
