Polar River will attempt to join 2011 winner Khawlah as the only females to defeat males in the UAE Derby when she takes her place in the starting gate for the March 26 3-year-old race sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (UAE-II).

Already a winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas sponsored by Friday and UAE Oaks sponsored by Emirates (UAE-III), Polar River has yet to taste defeat in four career outings and appears to be the standout runner with a combined victory margin of 32 lengths.

“She had a few little issues before the UAE Oaks,” trainer Doug Watson said. “Her preparation for this week has been a lot smoother and she should be the one to beat.”

Bred in the United States, Polar River was purchased for $40,000 by Watkins Bloodstock from the Eisaman Equine consignment to the 2015 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training. The daughter of Congrats   races for owners Valentin Bukhtoyarov and Evgeny Kappushev and departs post 2 under jockey Patrick Dobbs.

A field of seven heads postward for the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16 miles) UAE Derby, now in its 17th year. The race is worth 170 points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers toward a spot in the starting gate for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Watson has said a trip to America would be more likely for Polar River in June—but perhaps the connections will change their minds should their filly find the winner’s circle.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Polar River to Pass on Kentucky Oaks

The U.S. is represented in the UAE Derby by Reddam Racing’s Frank Conversation, who put together back-to-back wins in the California Derby and El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) for trainer Doug O’Neill. He drew the rail under regular rider Mario Gutierrez.

Japan has three in with Kentucky Derby aspirations; Yu Change, On The Rocks, and the U.S.-bred Tapit   colt Lani. Only Lani is Triple Crown-nominated; the connections of Yu Change and On The Rocks would have to pay a late supplement fee of $200,000 to enter the Kentucky Derby, but representatives of all three have indicated designs on the Run for the Roses.

Rounding out the field are Vale Dori, the Argentine filly who won a group I in her native country and is now trained by Mike de Kock; and British-bred Lazzam, trained by Marco Botti. Vale Dori gives Polar River 10 pounds and the colts six due to being bred in the Southern Hemisphere.

$2 million UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (UAE-II)
PP., Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer

1. Frank Conversation, M. Gutierrez, 121, D. O’Neill
2. Polar River, P. Dobbs, 117, D. Watson
3. Lani, Y. Take, 121, M. Matsunaga
4. Yu Change, J. Moreira, 121, H. Mori
5. Vale Dori, C. Soumillon, 127, M. de Kock
6. On The Rocks, M. Demuro, 121, H. Mori
7. Lazzam, L. Dettori, 121, M. Botti

fonte : Bloodhorse.com