Well Armed ran away with the $6 million Dubai World Cup to claim the richest prize in horse racing in an upset that left the favorites deep in the pack on Saturday. The 14-length victory – nearly double the record Dubai World Cup margin set last year by Curlin – was so comfortable that jockey Aaron Gryder patted the 6-year-old American gelding's neck 10 strides before the finish. “This horse really showed everyone in the world how good he is,” Gryder said, then asked: “Who was second?” Brazil-bred Gloria de Campeao was the distant runner-up, with Saudi-owned Paris Perfect third. Earlier, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum appeared to expand his Kentucky Derby options with the “surprise” win of Regal Ransom in a 1-2 finish in the $2 million UAE Derby for his Godolphin Racing stables. Favorite Desert Party was second. It was just the seventh win in 23 starts for Well Armed, trained by Eoin Harty and owned by Kentucky's WinStar Farms. But it was huge. Well Armed broke for the lead from the gate and led at the halfway mark. With 600 yards (meters) left, he began to pull away with each stride. “His best performance ever,” Gryder said. “He just kept extending himself.” The victory eclipsed last year's record 7¾-length win by two-time American Horse of the Year Curlin. Well Armed, a son of Tiznow, was third in 2008. The night could be a boost to the dream of a Kentucky Derby crown by Sheik Mohammed. Regal Ransom – called a “surprise horse” by Godolphin's trainer – upset stablemate Desert Party by a half length in the UAE Derby for Godolphin's second 1-2 finish of the seven-race card. It was nearly back-to-back wins for Frankie Dettori during the world's richest night of racing. In the previous race, the $1 million Godolphin Mile, Dettori rode Two Step Salsa to victory over another Godolphin entry, Gayego, who was 17th in last year's Kentucky Derby. The victory added to Dettori's long list of wins at Nad Al Sheba, including two Dubai World Cup wins with Dubai Millennium in 2000 and Moon Ballad in 2003. Godolphin has had five entries at Churchill Downs since 1999 – most recently Essence of Dubai, who finished ninth in 2002. In the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, Eastern Anthem won by a nose in a thrilling three-way finish. The Ireland-bred 5-year-old, ridden by local Emirates jockey Ahmad Ajtebi, crossed first in a late surge over Spanish Moon and Purple Moon on the turf after 12 furlongs. It was consecutive victories for Ajtebi, who rode winner Gladiatorus in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free. Kip Deville was 10th in the Duty Free. In the $2 million Golden Shaheen, Big City Man held off favorite Indian Blessing by 1¼ lengths.
