Gloria De Campeao wins featured race at new Dubai track

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Gloria De Campeao, runner-up in last year's Dubai World Cup, got his season started on Thursday with a victory in the featured race at the brand new Meydan Racecourse. This year's $10 million Dubai World Cup will be held on Saturday, March 27.

Gloria De Campeao won the opening day $200,000 Maktoum Challenge at one mile over the track's synthetic oval. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, the Brazilian- bred was never far off the pace. Trained by Pascal Bary, Gloria De Campeao retook the lead down the stretch to defeat Forgotten Voice.

"This horse loves Dubai and never runs a bad race," said Bary. "We will be aiming him for the World Cup in which he was an excellent second last year."

The time for the mile was 1:38.48

Finishing third was Consul General with 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile champ Midshipman coming in fourth. Rounding out the order of finish was Premio Loco, Without A Prayer, Lovelace, Otaared, Hunting Tower, Al Samha, Ocean's Minstrel, Philario, Tam Lin, and My Indy.