Ushba Tesoro may not be definitively known as the best dirt horse in the world, but his supporters may argue this point if he can repeat his success in the Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday at Meydan. With Flightline establishing himself as the top dirt horse recently, other horses like White Abarrio, National Treasure, and Señor Buscador have been claiming victories in major races.
Ushba Tesoro finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and second in the Saudi Cup, ultimately losing to Señor Buscador. However, White Abarrio and National Treasure did not perform well in Riyadh and are absent from this year’s Dubai World Cup. Considering Ushba Tesoro’s past performances, it could be his turn to shine once again. Despite some losses, he has consistently shown his potential to be the best in the field, making him a strong contender at 3-1 or higher odds.
Among other contenders, Kabirkhan and Derma Sotogake have strong cases for winning, with Kabirkhan securing a local prep race victory and Derma Sotogake winning the UAE Derby on the same track last year. While they are credible contenders, I believe they may be over-bet compared to Ushba Tesoro. Additionally, I find Defunded an intriguing long shot at 49-1 odds on the morning line. While a win may be unlikely, he could be a valuable addition to exotic bets with other top horses and placing a small action bet on him to win could lead to a significant payout.
The Dubai World Cup and its accompanying races will be part of the world pool, making it an event with international interest and high stakes for participants
