Saeed bin Suroor believes Thunder Snow has the class to be competitive in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
The UAE Derby winner will race on Lasix for the first time when he takes his chance from Gate 2 in the 2000-metre contest.
Thunder Snow edged out Japanese raider Epicharis at Meydan in March and Master Plan, who was third that day for US trainer Todd Pletcher, is second reserve.
Thunder Snow cantered one mile under Godolphin work rider Daragh O’Donohoe on Wednesday to get his first look at the surface as he gears up for his attempt to become Godolphin’s first winner of the Run For The Roses. He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon.
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The Dubai-based operation have had 10 runners in America’s most famous race, and from seven previous runners Bin Suroor has done no better than 2000 UAE Derby winner China Visit’s sixth place 17 years ago.
Bin Suroor flew in to oversee the workout and is expected to be in Louisville instead of overseeing the combined bids of Dream Castle and Top Score in the English 2,000 Guineas on the same day.
“The good thing about this horse is he handled the dirt really well,” Bin Suroor told reporters at morning track work.
“I talked to his work rider and he’s so happy with him and that’s good for Saturday. The horse was doing really well in Dubai before he came here but it is not easy to send a horse to the Kentucky Derby unless you know he has the class. I know it’s a tough race, the best horses in the world, but our horse has the class.”
At Newmarket racecourse in England on Saturday, Bin Suroor’s Dream Castle and Top Score will be joined by fellow Godolphin runner Barney Roy after Thursday’s declarations.
Dream Castle will be partnered by Silvestre De Sousa, while Carnival regular Top Score receives the assistance of Joe Fanning. Barney Roy will be partnered by James Doyle. Further UAE interest is provided by Law And Order, owned by businessman Saeed Manana.
There are 10 runners in all, headed by Europe’s star juvenile of last season Churchill who is the favourite trained by Aidan O’Brien.
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