Jockeys enjoying working holiday in Dubai

Most jockeys don’t ordinarily put morning workouts on their lists of favorite things to do.

Yet three American jockeys have traveled to Dubai just to handle exercise for some of the 15 horses based in the United States while they prepared for races on today’s Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) program.

Rudy Rodriguez on Diamond Stripes Photo Credit: Michele MacDonaldAnd all three—veteran New York rider Rudy Rodriguez, California jockey and television commentator Iggy Puglisi and young Midwest rider Anne Sanguinetti—would probably say they have enjoyed most every minute.

A railbird from New York shouted to Rodriguez one morning as he jogged past on UAE Derby (UAE-II) contender Massive Drama for trainer Dale Romans, asking: “Hey Rudy, where would you rather be now? Aqueduct or here?”

Rodriguez, who traveled to Dubai with trainer Rick Dutrow’s pair of Benny the Bull and Diamond Stripes, grinned from atop Massive Drama and shot back: “Here! I don’t want to go back.”

The reaction was much the same from Puglisi, who is restarting his career after surgeries and time in the studio with the Television Games Network, while he galloped or worked four horses—Grade 1 winner Idiot Proof for Clifford Sise Jr., Grade 2 winners Spring House, for Julio Canani, and Well Armed, for Eoin Harty, and stakes-placed Barbecue Eddie, for Brian Koriner. 

“This is wonderful. I haven’t been this happy in a long time,” Puglisi said.

Anne Sanguinetti on Esperamos Photo Credit: Michele MacDonald

For Sanguinetti, who relishes international travel, exploring Dubai has been an educational adventure after riding out nearly every morning on sprinter Esperamos, trained by Wesley Ward, who helped the jockey get her start in racing. 

“It’s a good place to be. Come on, would you rather be at Beulah Park or in Dubai?” said Sanguinetti, quickly adding, “Nothing against Beulah Park, of course.”

Sanguinetti found herself in Dubai to help Ward after deciding to take a vacation from the rigors of race riding. She has been rejuvenated and looks forward to returning to competition—and perhaps to bigger races in the future. 

The fact that $21 million is on the line in today’s six Thoroughbred races has not been lost on the jockeys.

“Hopefully, one day I’ll come back here and ride in one of these races,” Sanguinetti said.

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