Undefeated in five outings at Maroñas, Uruguay, winning almost always in dominant fashion, Alcorano's daughter makes her debut in the United Arab Emirates, facing seven maiden fillies in the Al Nayifat Stakes, a 1400-meter dirt race
JEBEL ALI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – The Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan is quickly approaching, with a large number of horses vying for a spot in one of the races that make up the series. Among them are several South Americans, starting with the Argentine Oasis Boy (Asiatic Boy) and the Chilean First Constitution (Constitution), who will both participate in separate events on Super Saturday this coming Saturday.
Taking a different path, the star Devassa will have her long-awaited and delayed local debut. It will take place at Jebel Ali, another track in the circuit, where she will compete in the Al Nayifat Stakes (Sponsored by Keeneland) on Sunday. This race is a maiden race for 3-year-old fillies, with a 1400-meter dirt course.
With a draw in position 2, the Brazilian-bred daughter of Alcorano, trained by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga in Meydan, will be ridden by Brazilian star Silvestre de Sousa. She will face eight rivals, seven of whom are still maidens. The downside: she will carry a demanding 60.5 kilos, giving the others a 5.5-kilo advantage.
Devassa was the star of 2024 at Maroñas, Uruguay, demolishing rivals in each of her five outings. Her winning streak included victories in the Clásico Treinta y Tres Orientales (L), the Gran Premio Criterium Potrancas (G2), and the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G3) and Selección (G3), winning by margins of 12 3/4 and 8 lengths, respectively.
A small setback in training prevented her from running in the UAE Oaks (L), leaving her with only one option: to travel to Jebel Ali, where she is a clear favorite to claim victory. Her main rival is Flama Sunshine (Flameaway), trained by the team of Bhupat Seemar and Tadhg O'Shea, who recently finished far behind in her last two starts, after breaking her maiden over the now-classic Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca).
The day at Jebel Ali will feature other South Americans in action, all from Cintra and Olascoaga's stable. Norato (Brz - Kentuckian) will compete in the Bin Dasmal Group Stakes (1400 m, dirt), a maiden race for 3-year-olds and up; Don Vaccaro (Uru - Alcorano) will race in the Al Nawayef Stakes (1400 m, dirt), a condition race for 3-year-olds; and Loreley (Brz - Kentuckian) will take part in the Tattersalls Cup (1200 m, dirt), a handicap for horses rated 0 to 95.
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