Notebook: Roses in May wins Dubai World Cup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — It's party time in the desert for Ken Ramsey.

After Roses in May won the $6 million Dubai World Cup yesterday — and added $3.6 million to the Ramsey family's bank account — the co-owner hoisted a gold cup overhead, received congratulations from Dubai's rulers and said he plans to stick around for a while.

"We're going to have a champagne-and-roses party tonight," Ramsey said. "This is the biggest moment I've had in racing so far, absolutely."

Roses in May, runner-up in his last two starts — the Breeders' Cup Classic in October and the Donn Handicap last month — hit the jackpot in the world's richest Thoroughbred race.

Roses in May, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Dale Romans, beat runner-up Dynever by 3 lengths and ran about 1-¼ miles in 2 minutes, 2 seconds. Roses in May, Dynever and third-place Choctaw Nation are Kentucky-breds.

Nad Al Sheba doesn't allow wagering, but there was a simulcast pool for American bettors and favored Roses in May returned $4.20 on a $2 win bet.

There have been 10 Dubai World Cups and an American horse has won five times.

Velazquez said Roses in May got off to a relatively slow start and was distracted by the bright lights surrounding the track, but made up for it quickly.

"He didn't break well from the gate. I had to get him to a point where he was comfortable," Velazquez said.

"I put him into a fast gear, and I didn't look back. He just did what he needed to do. I never looked back. I didn't see anybody."

Ramsey and his wife, Sarah, own Roses in May.

"He has a steady cruising speed," Ken said of the 5-year-old. "He just keeps on going, sort of like the Energizer bunny."

Congrats, expected to be a top contender, lagged behind and finished fifth. The American horse is trained by Richard Mandella, who won the Dubai World Cup last year with Pleasantly Perfect.

Another U.S.-based horse, Lundy's Liability, trained by Bobby Frankel, finished seventh in the field of 12.

Romans said Roses in May deserves a rest.

"We'll take him back to Kentucky and give him a little break after this," he said.

Roses in May has won 8 of 13 career starts for earnings of $5,490,187.

Notes

• In races worth $2 million each earlier on the Dubai World Cup card, Blues And Royals ($103.80 to win) took the UAE Derby, Phoenix Reach ($34.80) captured the Dubai Sheema Classic, Saratoga County ($9.40) prevailed in the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Elvstroem ($22.20) won the Dubai Duty Free.

• Flower Alley beat Wild Desert by a half-length to take the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Flower Alley, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Jorge Chavez, ran 1-1/8 miles on a muddy track in 1 minute, 50-1/5 seconds. The colt paid $22.40 to win in the Grade II race.

• A 16-year-old apprentice rider was dragged to his death by a horse at Riverton in New Zealand.

Sam McRae, who had been riding for about four months, was dragged about 900 yards after he fell from his mount, Queen's Evidence, and his foot became trapped in a stirrup.

McRae died of head and chest injuries, a track official said.

• Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year, and Kentucky Derby contender Sun King were among two dozen horses moved to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., from the Palm Meadows training facility in Florida, where a bacterial disease has been found.