Well, well, well…if you had your money on Well Armed to win the Dubai World Cup today, you were probably laughing all the way to the ticket window. The US$6 million-dollar purse, the richest prize in horse racing, was easily won by the American thoroughbred, who not only set a new record with a 14-length lead over the field — but doubled the record Dubai World Cup margin set by Curlin at last year's running.

"This horse really showed everyone in the world how good he is," jockey Aaron Gryder said, then asked: "Who was second?"

Brazil-bred Gloria de Campeao placed second, and Saudi-owned Paris Perfect came in third. Pre-race favorites Albertus Maximus finished sixth and Asiatic Boy was 12th in the 14-horse field event.

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"Holy shit, am I rich." (AP Images)

Last Year's Horse of the Year Curlin won the world's richest race today at the Dubai World Cup.

Paying 2-5 the favourite came through for bettors and has those around him concluding he is the best racehorse in the world.

"For someone from a racing family to have the best horse in the world is really awesome," said Trainer Steve Asmussen said. "It's a dream come true."

It was the largest margin of victory in World Cup history and the third-fastest time posted at 2:00:15.

Asiatic Boy finished second.

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Jockey Aaron Gryder is Well Armed for the Dubai World Cup. (AP Images)

It’s been two years since Well Armed’s last visit to the Nad Al Sheba racetrack in Dubai.

In 2006, the then-3-year-old was trained by Clive Brittain and was considered a contender in the UAE Derby after winning an allowance race. But he left Dubai with a disappointing 11^th place finish and a fractured pelvis which forced him into an 18-month layoff at WinStar Farm.

Since his return to racing in October 2007, Well Armed has looked like a different horse – stronger, faster and better-conditioned. Now under the care of trainer Eoin Harty, Well Armed showed off his improved form at Santa Anita Park earlier this year, placing second in the San Pasqual Handicap and then winning the San Antonio Handicap, which earned him a ticket to Dubai.

" Curlin is obviously the horse to beat,” Harty says of the American Horse of the Year. But he has confidence in Well Armed’s preparations: “I am pleased with the way he has been working… He's very fit and he's sound.”

Jockey Aaron Gryder agrees, noting that Well Armed could challenge Curlin with his speed. “Nobody can out-quick this horse. This is the kind of horse who can out-gallop them to the lead.”

On March 29, we’ll see if Well Armed’s return to Nad Al Sheba results in redemption at the Dubai World Cup.

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Trainer Mike De Kock is confident that Asiatic Boy will bounce back by race day. (AP Images)

Despite Asiatic Boy’s latest setback, last year’s UAE Triple Crown winner still aims to threaten at the 2008 Dubai World Cup.

Asiatic Boy’s recent third-place finish at the one-mile $200,000 Burj Nahaar on March 6 was a surprising disappointment, considering his previous five victories at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack. However, his owners and trainers aren’t worried.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Asiatic Boy first showed star qualities in 2007 with wins in the UAE 2000 Guineas and the Al Bastakiya. Then, with his resounding nine-furlong win in the UAE Derby, Asiatic Boy became the first UAE Triple Crown winner in its 12 year history.

Trainer Mike De Kock cited insufficient preparation for the Burj Nahaar loss but didn’t seem too concerned with the 5-year-old Argentinean-bred colt’s overall readiness.

“On reflection, we had probably left more to work on than we thought,” he said. “The World Cup has always been his target and was three weeks away so we were keen he did not peak too early.”

Armed with deadly cruising speed and a fondness for racing on dirt, Asiatic Boy will be looking to bounce back come race day.

“[Asiatic Boy] is showing all his old zest in his work,” De Kock said. “He'll be a different proposition on the last Saturday in March… We’re expecting massive improvement in the Dubai World Cup.”

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2008 Dubai fravorite Curlin helps draw a sell out crowd. (AP Images)

Dubai Racing Club announced that there are no tickets left for the 2008 Dubai World Cup, staged on Saturday March 29.

It is the first time that the Dubai World Cup has sold out before the day itself.

Hospitality and Reservations Manager Tarini Vosper said: "The event has steadily grown since its inception, but we are surprised at the level of demand for tickets this year.

"It's unfortunate we are not able to issue anymore tickets, but we have to stress that there are absolutely no more left, so there is no point travelling to the event or contacting the Badge Sales Office.

"We do hope anyone missing out will try again next year – only a little earlier"

After five weeks of being in Dubai and preparing for the Dubai World Cup, American horse of the year Curlin had his final workout Monday. Curlin rolled through a half-mile in around 50 seconds.

Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, said Curlin was making good progress.

"He's physically ready to do what we are going to ask him to do on Saturday," Blasi said in a statement released by race organizers.

Curlin has won seven of 10 career starts for earnings of more than $5.1 million.

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Jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer Saeed bin Suroor have Jalil ready to win the Dubai World Cup. (AP Images)

Jalil may finally be living up to his high-priced expectations in the lead-up to the Dubai World Cup.

After being acquired for $9.7 million in 2005 by the Godolphin stable, Jalil gave owner Sheikh Mohammed a severe case of buyer’s remorse in his debut race at Newmarket, finishing a paltry sixth in a field of 13.

The Storm Cat-sired colt, whose bloodline includes that of 1973 Triple Crown-winning Secretariat, then managed just one win in three starts after his debut.

However, 2008 is turning into Jalil’s breakout year – he’s won his last three races, all at Nad Al Sheba racetrack where he caught the eye of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance thinks Jalil could have a shot at an upset.

“Curlin is a top class horse and the one to beat. But Jalil is a vastly improved horse this year and could be the one that will chase Curlin,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Aboard for Jalil’s last two wins, jockey Frankie Dettori is pleased with Jalil’s development. “He’s taken to the dirt really well, and keeps improving and maturing… [He] fits into the Dubai World Cup field without any problems.” Added trainer Saeed bin Suroor: “Jalil proved he’s not a $9.7 million purchase for nothing.”

Is this 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt peaking at the right time to have a chance against highly favored Curlin? On March 29 at the Dubai World Cup, we’ll finally see how Jalil answers that multimillion dollar question.

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Curlin finds his biggest challenges coming from talented local runners. (AI Wire photo)

Fields are beginning to take shape for the $21 million Dubai World Cup card. The world's most lucrative race day is expected to see horses representing at least 15 nations. The ceremony for the post position draw takes place on March 26.

Horse of the Year Curlin’s appearance in the 10 furlong, $6 million World Cup has reduced the migration from North American challengers with his main opposition set to come from some talented local runners with recent success. A formidable pair from the powerful Godolphin Stable are anxious to test him. Gr. 3 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 winner Happy Boy and his stablemate Jalil, hero of Maktoum Challenge Round 3, plan to make a race of it. Last year’s runner-up Premium Tap, fourth-place finisher Vermillion and Asiatic Boy, the 2007 UAE Triple Crown champion, have accepted their invitations to the day’s main event.

There are three other Group 1 races on the card, headlined by the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic. Nine-year-old Better Talk Now and San Luis Obispo winner Spring House carry North American hopes in the 12 furlong marathon.

The $5 million Dubai Duty Free showcases the fillies. The $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, a six furlong sprint, boasts the largest American contingent led by Idiot Proof, Benny The Bull, Esperamos, Bushwacker and Barbecue Eddie.

Kentucky Derby hopeful Massive Drama, third in two California graded stakes this winter, will make his Dubai debut in the $2 million U.A.E. Derby, a Gr. 2 event at nine furlongs.

The other thoroughbred race on the card is the $1 million Gr. 2 Godolphin Mile, where American raider Barcola will be joined by Diamond Stripes.

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Leading up to the Dubai World Cup Curlin has never looked stronger. (AP Images)

Prepping for the March 29 Dubai World Cup, Horse of the Year Curlin had a workout time of 1:13:54 yesterday morning at Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi said that Curlin “is just in a really good rhythm right now.”

The 4-year-old old horse is trained by Steve Asmussen.

“It was exactly what we had in mind, and he galloped out strong,” Blasi said. “That was his major move for the Dubai World Cup, and I couldn’t be happier with how he went and the rhythm he is in.”

Asmussen is basically using the same methods of training Curlin for the $6 million Dubai World Cup as he did to prepare Curlin for the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year at Monmouth Park, which he won.

Blasi said, “Asmussen’s primary goal with the March 17 workout was that Curlin get the first furlong in :13 and change, and the last in :12 and change.” Blasi said Rosas “is a man of few words,” but he is “very excited about how strong (Curlin) is; he says he feels as strong as he ever has.”

Blasi said that Curlin has developed very nicely from a 3-year-old to a 4-year-old. “He’s just a stronger, more mature horse,” said Blasi, who has worked with Curlin since he arrived in Asmussen’s barn the winter of 2007 and who is overseeing his training in Dubai for primary owner Jess Jackson and his Stonestreet Stable and minority partner, the Midnight Cry Stable.

“He’s thicker – and he has put on weight in all the right places,” Blasi said. “He was a big horse as a 3-year-old, but he’s a lot bigger now.”

Even though there still is another workout scheduled before March 29's Dubai World’s Cup it won’t be as demanding as the impressive one on March 17.

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Curlin with trainer Steve Asmussen. (AP Images)

North American Gr. 2 winners A.P. Arrow and Well Armed will be joined by Gr. 1 victor Great Hunter in an attempt to upstage reigning Horse of the Year Curlin in the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29. Curlin embarrassed a small field in his recent Dubai prep, coasting to a 2 ½ length win under regular rider Robby Albarado while under tight restraint at the finish. The effortless victory was followed by a recent workout over the Nad al Sheba course that impressed his connections.

Leading North American conditioner Steve Asmussen opted to fly Curlin to Dubai early for his World Cup prep race and subsequent training so the star of his powerful stable could get well acclimated. The move has paid off, and the striking chestnut’s awesome physical appearance and heir of confidence is intimidating his potential competition. A compact lineup is expected in this year’s edition of the prestigious event with Curlin appearing to hold all the aces. Champ Elysees, third in the recent Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap, Gr. 1 Pacific Classic winner Student Council and Gr. 2 winners Awesome Again and Monterey Jazz are declining to make the long journey for what looks like a race for second money.

Curlin is one horse to watch out for at the Dubai World Cup. And don't forget to get your Kentucky Derby futures in the Bodog Racebook.

Curlin with trainer Steve Asmussen. (AP Images)

Curlin, North America’s 2007 Horse of the Year had a great prep race for the $6 million Dubai World Cup when he won the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy Handicap at Nad Al Sheba Race Course on Feb. 28. The World Cup will be run March 29.

"That was just what we wanted," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "In racing you are always cautiously optimistic, but that's what we expected. The timing between the races is ideal – he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) over a mile and a quarter before winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) over the same trip four weeks later. That's why we've come for this race, so everything's gone to plan so far."

"He is an amazing athlete and racehorse," Albarado said. "It is a real honor to be associated with him and he has shown why tonight. I took him wide to help settle him as he was a bit keen and from then I was never concerned."

Curlin total purse earnings are more then $5.2 million and he has won seven of 10 career starts including victories in last year's Preakness Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Curlin is one horse to watch out for at the Dubai World Cup. And don't forget to get your Kentucky Derby futures in the Bodog Racebook.