RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MARCH 30, 2019—Godolphin’s Thunder Snow tries to repeat his win in the Group 1 $12-million Dubai World Cup at Meyden Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday with simulcast wagering at Billy’s Race Book.

There will be a total of $35-million in purses for six Group 1 races and three Group 2 races on the extravagant program.

The final three races on the program — highlighted by the Dubai World Cup — will be offered live on Saturday morning at Billy’s Race Book adjoining Ruidoso Downs.

The doors will open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at Billy’s Sports Book.

Fans may wager on the entire Saturday program on Friday at Billy’s Race Book.

The Irish-bred Thunder Snow attempts to become the first two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup. It is contested at about 1-1/4 miles on the dirt.

The five-year-old son of the Australian-bred Helmet won last year’s Dubai World Cup by nearly six lengths. He was third in the $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic last November at Churchill Downs and was rested until running second in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on March 9 at Meydan. That was his prep race for the Dubai World Cup.

Thunder Snow will need to overcome having the 12th post position in the 13-horse field. He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillion for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The United States will be represented by five horses, including Charles Fipke’s homebred Seeking The Soul. He comes off a second-place run in the Grade 1, $9-million Pegasus World Cup in January.

Mike Smith has the mount on Seeking The Soul for trainer Dallas Stewart.

American horses may find their best opportunity in the Group 1, $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at about six furlongs. Two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Roy H is in peak form. The winner of seven graded stakes raced to a four-length win in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes on January 19 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Peter Miller has Paco Lopez aboard Roy H.

To wager on the Golden Shaheen at Billy’s Race Book, fans must place their wager on Friday since the race is run before doors open on Saturday.

Live racing returns to Ruidoso Downs on May 10.

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