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Pleasantly Perfect (United States) the winner
of Dubai World Cup 2004
 Some
of the world's best horses traveled all the way to Nad al Sheba
Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the ninth Dubai World
Cup. The headline event, the world's richest race with a purse of
$6 million, was the highly anticipated rematch between the top two
finishers in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, winner Pleasantly
Perfect and runner-up Medaglia d'Oro. Twelve went to post, set to
travel the 2000-meter (about 1 1/4 mile) distance for the big prize.
When the gate opened, jockey Jon Court sent Fleetstreet Dancer straight
to the front, and he set initial fractions of 25.58, 48.38, and
1:11.85 for the first six furlongs, as favorite Medaglia d'Oro kept
in close contact. Turning for home, Jerry Bailey sent Medaglia d'Oro
to the front as the pacesetter faded out of contention, getting
the mile in 1:35.89 and 1 1/8 in 1:47.81.
However, Pleasantly Perfect,
who had stalked the pace in fourth early on under Alex Solis, came
on strong around the turn and dueled with his nemesis over the last
2 1/2 furlongs. With about 1/16 of a mile to go, Pleasantly Perfect
poked his nose ahead of Medaglia d'Oro and inched away to win by 3/4
of a length in a time of 2:00.24 for the 2000 meters over a fast track.
South African-bred Victory Moon was about five lengths back in third.
Pacesetter Fleetstreet Dancer faded through the stretch to an eventual
fifth place finish. Pleasantly Perfect became the second Breeders'
Cup Classic winner to also win the Dubai World Cup. Cigar was the
first in 1996 when he won the inaugural running of the Dubai World
Cup.
Jockey Alex Solis, winning his second race on the card, said "It
is incredible to have won this race, it is a dream come true and we
are going to celebrate on the way home and for the rest of the year.
It was a dogfight all the way down the stretch. I wanted to make sure
Medaglia D'Oro didn't get away from me, he tried to come back but
luckily I had enough in my hand. When I cracked him 100 meters to
the post he took off again. He looks so beautiful he's shiny and happy."
Winning trainer Richard Mandella
said, "It was very satisfying. It's nice to get the job done.
We would like to come back here because they make it worth your
while. Pleasantly Perfect had a tough time in the beginning, we
held our breath, I assumed it would be a lot easier. He will now
get a nice long rest and the long term aim is the Breeders' Cup
in October." Mandella dedicated the win to trainer and mentor
Victor Jethro "Lefty" Nickerson, who passed away Friday
after a lengthy illness. Mandella referred to him as "probably
the best friend in my life".
Jerry Bailey, aboard second place finisher
Medaglia d'Oro, said "It was a great race, he ran his heart
out tonight and you got to tip your head to the other horse. He
set up comfortably he was very positive, he kicked once and kicked
again when I asked him to do so."
Weichong Marwing, aboard third place
finisher Victory Moon, said "The other ones were just too good.
He travelled well. He's a very good and still a young horse and
we are not disappointed."
Jon Court, aboard pacesetter Fleetstreet
Dancer, said "He broke alertly. He took the lead ran on gamely
we just missed the money."
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