T M Fred Texas (pictured) defeated the heavy favorite, Grilla, to win the Grade 1 $52,500 The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup. The winning jockey was Santos Chavez, winning trainer was Ronald Martino, and the winning owner was Sam A. Vasquez. Dixies Valentine, ridden by Louisville-based jockey Calvin Borel, finished 9 1/4 lengths back in second after setting the pace through much of the 1 1/4 mile race. Jockey Corey Lanerie and Ovour the Top finished another 16 1/2 lengths back in third. The favorite Grilla was 4 1/2 lengths back in fourth. The remainder of the field was another 39 lengths behind Grilla!

Race fans seemed to enjoy Churchill Downs' inaugural  Arabian race, cheering as the horses passed the grandstand for the first time. Although the size of the crowd here today was nowhere near the crowd size on Kentucky Derby day, fans exhibited as much excitement as they do on that special day.

T M Fred Texas returned $12.20, $5.40, and $3.40. Dixies Valentine paid $4.40 and $3.20. Ovour the Top returned $4.00 for third. The $2 exacta paid $50.40, the trifecta paid $224.80, and the superfecta paid $412.40.

I hope my handicapping analysis helped some of you cash in on this race!

Photo: Courtesy Ed DeRosa