World's richest race attracts 14 hopefuls

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Gloria De Campeao, 2009 runner- up, leads a full field of 14 thoroughbreds for Saturday's $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. This is the first running of the 1 1/4-mile race at the new racetrack.

The Dubai World Cup, which previously was worth $6 million, will be contested for the first time on an artificial surface. The first 14 runnings were held at Nad Al-Sheba Racecourse.

With the increased purse the winning owner will receive $6 million, second- place is worth $2 million and the show horse will pick up $1 million.

Post-time for the Dubai World Cup is set for 1:45 p.m.(et).

Gloria De Campeao will be ridden by Tiago Pereira from the five post for Estrela Energia Stables and trainer Pascal Bary. Last year the horse was defeated in the World Cup by Well Armed from the United States, 14-lengths behind the victor. He is coming off a win two months ago in the $200,000 Al Maktoum Challenge-Round 1 on the new track's opening race card.

Gio Ponti, a double Eclipse Award winner, has drawn post four with Ramon Dominguez in the saddle. The five-year-old is owned by Castleton Lyons and trained by Christophe Clement.

Last year Gio Ponti won the Arlington Million and was second to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic. His versatility enabled him to be voted 2009 champion turf and older male horse.

In his 17 race career, Gio Ponti has won nine times with five second-place finishes for over $3.1 million in earnings. Last month the champion horse was second to Karelian on the turf in the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup.

Here is the complete field for the Dubai World Cup in post position order: Allybar, Ahmed Ajtebi; Gitano Hernando, Kieren Fallon; Red Desire, Christophe Soumillion; Gio Ponti, Ramon Dominguez; Gloria de Campeao, Tiago Pereira; Vision d'Etat, Olivier Peslier; Lizard's Desire, Kevin Shea; Furthest Land, Julien Leparoux; Crowded House, John Velazquez; Richard's Kid, Garrett Gomez; Twice Over, Ton Queally; Mastery, Frankie Dettori; Mr Brock, Ryan Moore and Amor De Pobre, Aaron Gryder.