On April 5, all eyes were on the Japanese superstar Forever Young as the thoroughbred racing world convened at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the 29th Dubai World Cup (G1). The world’s second richest horse race brings the best dirt routers from across the globe to run for a purse of $12 million. Despite the class in the field, only one horse aside from the heavily favored Forever Young stepped into the gate at under 10-1 odds. It was the favorite’s race to lose, but that was fine with Qatari-owned, American-based long shot Hit Show.
The break was fair for all, though the 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro had to check slightly a few strides afterward. Walk of Stars led the field nearly the entire way, but a charge from Mixto as they hit the top of the stretch made it seem like Calumet Farm’s entry would give legendary jockey Frankie Dettori a record fifth win in the race. Hit Show was on the move, but at first it didn’t appear to be enough to catch the leader. Even the race caller Pat Comerford had written off Hit Show’s effort at around 100 meters left to run. “And Hit Show [is all] out, but it’s all too late,” he declared.
It wasn’t too late for Wathnan Racing’s 5-year-old gray horse by Candy Ride. With an impressive surge past Mixto in the final strides, Hit Show hit the wire three-fourths of a length in front, making the finish a one-two punch for the overlooked U.S. horses. Forever Young had to settle for third and Walk of Stars held on to round out the superfecta.
Trained by Brad Cox, who did not travel to Dubai so he could instead watch over his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, Hit Show was skillfully piloted to his first Grade 1 victory by Florent Geroux. “To be honest with you, I was looking for a placing,” Geroux admitted in a post-race interview. “[H]e gave me more.”
Cox was just as honest in a call with the Dubai officials. “I still can’t quite believe it. It’s unbelievable.” Hit Show has the chance to continue the unbelievable journey at the end of the year. The Dubai World Cup (G1) was added to the list of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races just this year, which means that the win not only netted him a big payday but also a free spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) back home in the States on Nov. 1.
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