2019 Dubai World Cup Picks

2019 Dubai World Cup:  Capezzano Gate to Wire

Win: Capezzano

This year's Dubai World Cup appears to be lacking in pace. Thunder Snow, North America, and Capezzano appear to be the ones with the most early hoof, meaning whomever can establish a lead among the three might be the one to back.

Of those three, Capezzano might be best. He ran Thunder Snow and the rest of his competition into the ground in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3. What's really exciting is that the win was his third straight. That's not all, though. Capezzano's from an Unbridled's Song mare while his sire is Bernardini. He's bred to relish the distance and the dirt.

Place: Thunder Snow

Last year's winner did a lot of things right when finishing second to Capezzano in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3. He didn't stay close enough to Capezzano in the early stages, but he did maintain his position to finish second. Per his trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, he should be much tighter in the rematch with the top choice.

Although Suroor's probably right, Capezzano has that freak look about him, which is why even though Thunder Snow should give a great accounting of himself, like he did finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Classic, he still might not catch the monster that is Capezzano.

Third: Dolkong

The Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 could prove to be a key race if the top 3 finishers also finish in the Top 3 in the Dubai World Cup. Dolkong hung with Capezzano and Thunder Snow even though he had won the Curlin Handicap a week before. That's how talented this horse is.

Could he win? Sure, if the pace comes up blazing. That's not likely to be the case, though. Third might be the best again for the Afleet Alex sired 5-year-old.

Fourth: North America

He won Round 1 and Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge and his grandsire is Dubai Millenium, one of the best horses to have run in the past 25 years. But, there are some things that make me pause before jumping all over North America. I'm not sure he can outrun Capezzano. Even if he gets the lead, Capezzano can rate, which makes North America's job a lot harder. North America should put in a good effort. He's likely to fade to fourth.

How I'm Playing the 2019 Dubai World Cup

I'm using Capezzano as my key horse in trifectas and exactas. I'll also have a sizable win bet on Capezzano. In addition to the 4 horses above, I'll use Audible, Gronkowski, Seeking the Soul, Gunnevera, and Yoshida in the show slot in my trifecta and in the fourth slot if I play a super.

Good luck!