Six U.S. Horses Entered in Dubai World Cup

The top four jockeys in the current standings at Santa Anita will ride in the $6-million Dubai World Cup on Saturday.

The fourth running of the World Cup is the weakest in the history of the Grade I race, which will have an approximate post time of 9:30 a.m. PST. Fans will be able to bet on the race at Santa Anita. Four other stakes races from Dubai will be shown, beginning at 6:30 a.m., but no betting will be allowed on those contests.

There are six American horses running in the World Cup, including Behrens, Ecton Park, Malek, Public Purse and Saint’s Honor.

Trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Corey Nakatani, Public Purse will make his first start on dirt. Puerto Madero, third behind General Challenge and Budroyale in the Santa Anita Handicap, will be handled by Laffit Pincay Jr. Alex Solis has the mount on Malek and Saint’s Honor will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux.

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Happyanunoit will make her first start since winning the Matriarch last Nov. 28 in the $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap on Sunday.

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Amerman and trained by Frankel, Happyanunoit finished 1999 with a flourish, winning three of her last four starts. Bred in New Zealand, the 5-year-old mare will carry top weight of 121 pounds and will be ridden again by Brice Blanc.

Santa Anita Notes

Jockey Chris Antley was off his mounts Wednesday for what were said to be personal reasons. Antley is scheduled to meet with Santa Anita stewards this morning, according to steward Pete Pedersen.