HORSE RACING

• Curlin versus 12 in Dubai World Cup

  
  

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup has attracted a field of 13, including 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin. The world's richest horse race at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse will be conducted at a distance of 1 1/4 miles.

  Should all 13 thoroughbreds start, it would match the most runners for the race, equalling the record established in 2000. In that race Dubai Millennium set the track and stakes mark of 1:59.50.

  Curlin, the winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, had his final workout on Monday. While in Dubai the four-year-old has been under the care of Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

  "He's physically ready to do what we are going to ask him to do on Saturday," Blasi said.

  Last month Curlin picked up a victory in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy here in preparation for the Saturday, March 29 race. He has earned $5.2 million in a little more than a year with seven wins in 10 career starts.

  Regular jockey Robby Albarado will fly in to ride for owners Stonestreet and Midnight Cry Stables.

  Returning for another shot at the Dubai World Cup is last year's runner-up Premium Tap. Premium Tap is owned by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, where the horse has remained since losing to Invasor in the 2007 renewal.

  Here are the 13 thoroughbreds who have been entered for the 13th Dubai World Cup with their jockeys: Well Armed. Aaron Gryder; Asiatic Boy, John Murtagh; Jalil, Frankie Dettori; Vermilion, Yutaka Take; Premium Tap, Sebastian Madrid; Lucky Find, Kevin Shea; Happy Boy, Kerrin McEvoy; Gloria De Campeao, Christophe Lemaire; Curlin, Robby Albarado; Kocab, Stephane Pasquier; A. P. Arrow, Ramon Dominguez; Sway Yed, Olivier Peslier and Great Hunter, Garrett Gomez.

  The post position draw will be held on Wednesday.

  03/24 12:04:22 ET