Friday, March 23 2012

MARTINEZ HEADED TO DUBAI; TAMPA TURF TEST ON TAP TODAY

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Willie Martinez leaves Tuesday for the United Arab Emirates, where he will prepare to ride 6-year-old sprinter Giant Ryan in the $2-million Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup card March 31 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Golden Shaheen will be contested at a distance of 1,200 meters, or about six furlongs, on the synthetic Tapeta surface. It is one of nine races worth more than $27 million on a spectacular program that culminates with the $10-million Dubai World Cup.