Admire Daytona got a position in Kentucky Derby when Yukihiro Kato-trained Colt was on to beat Heart of Honor of a nose in Uae Derby in Dubai on Saturday.
This is the fourth year in a row that a Japan-based horse has won UAE Derby. Admire Daytona ran 1 3/16-miles track on Meydan Racecourse only shy for two minutes-1: 59: 13.
The knight of Christophe Lemaire, admire Daytona broke well and went to the lead and went with Rafid to move forward from the package.
Heart of Honor, ridden by Saffie Osborne, and Don in the mood, with Ryusei Sakai on board, arose to challenge in the last turn.
It became a three-horse duel along the route, and the photo finish showed admiration Daytona, which was held despite Heart of Honor’s wave in the last progress to earn 100 points and arches to the top of the position after the last race in the Euro-Middle East Road to Kentucky Derby.
Admire Daytona wins the fifth round “UAE Derby” at the Dubai World Cup 2025 sponsored by Jumeirah. pic.twitter.com/mcvmoj8ity
– Dubai Media Office (@dxbmediaOffice) April 5 2025
By breaking on 10-1, admire daytona paid $ 22.20 to win and $ 5.50 to show. Heart of Honor, was the second choice of 5-2, paid $ 3.20 and Don in mood paid $ 5.60.
Flood Zone, Brad Cox-trained Colt who was the 2-1 favorite who came from his victory last month at Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, was not a factor that ended seventh in nine.
The race is one of the last major preparations for Kentucky Derby. The wooden brand at Aqueduct and Santa Anita Derby in California will run on Saturday, and Blue Grass Stakes in Keyland in Lexington, KY, has been re -planned for Tuesday due to bad weather.
The 151st Kentucky Derby will run on May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
-Field level media
