Morning Line Goes to Dubai - All Comments

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Jacklyn — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:42:35 GMT

Michelle, thank you for your coverage of the Dubai World Cup. I haven't seen any mention of the number of breakdowns during the World Cup so I feel compelled to bring the subject up. It was very disconcerting to hear the Sheik talk to the reporter after his horse catastrophically broke down during the turf race and the race had to be stopped due to the horse still laying on the track. When they re-ran the race, 2 more horses had to be pulled up. No mention was made of what happened to them. I wish the reporters would tell the public what happens to the horses when they breakdown. We are all aware of the dangers of racing and realize it is part of the sport. Full disclosure is a much better way to handle these incidences instead of pretending like they didn't happen. Does anyone know what they Sheik does with his race horses that no longer perform on the track? Do they slaughter horses in Dubai? Where do they bring the dead horses? To a landfill like we do here in America? Just some questions that were going through my mind during this tragic event. Any answers are appreciated.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Katherine — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:29:19 GMT

What a magnificent mare she is. She takes my breath away.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Bellwether — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:55:37 GMT

GIO PONTI needed more time over there b fore the race & so did ROYAL DELTA...her connections try n to get back some of that 8.5 million dollars they paid fore her...she needs to throw a JOHN HENRY & A SECRETARIAT to get that kind of bread back!!!...

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Dennis — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:57:03 GMT

Congratulations to all the USA horses that ran in the Dubai races!

it's ok, we cannot win all the time

most importantly, our horses came back well, and will race "home sweet home" when I watched the 10,000.000 dollar race, I saw that

there was race riding being done on Royal Delta, the Jockey outside of Royal delta just kept bearing in on Royal delta, and would not give the filly breathing space..then suddenly.. the jockey

made a left turn and bullied royal delta, and if Lescano was not the

quality race rider that he is, then probably damage would be done

to both horse and jockey! guess what, that race was a bull race, not a horse race, Jose keep your head high, we all knew they roughed you and royal delta, lets hope they come over here for the breeders cup!we will show them that we do not ride bull cows in horse races, and we will avenge our defeat, in grand style, "BIG UPS to BILL MOTT, Bob Baffert, Jose Lescano, Chantal Sutherland,

no matter what, we saw what happened, we are still the best!!

lots of love to all of you!!!

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

maryann727 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:52:55 GMT

@ ksweatman9 01 Apr 2012 6:48PM

Your comment: "This is the race I so much wanted to see Zenyatta shoot for, but her owners may have been thinking of the things I just mentioned." I think you are correct that Team Zenyatta would not have wanted to subject Z to such an arduous journey.

Now, I hope Royal Delta bounces back in good order; the long trip seems to take more out of some than others.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

aspradling — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:44:51 GMT

There just isn't much you can do when you get boxed in and can't make a move.

“We had a good position but in the middle of the turn the horse in front of me quit so I had to wait a little longer than I wanted to," he said. "She gave me a good run at the end but this surface (all-weather) is a little different – it’s a little sticky.”

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

maryann727 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:47:55 GMT

Thank you Michele for your coverage of Royal Delta in Dubai and for your beautiful prose. I wish that RD had had a better trip but most important is that she came out of the race in good shape. I hope to see her winning some big races this year. Thanks again for sharing your heartfelt observations.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

deb — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:30:51 GMT

Thats racing!

Welcome home all!

I am still proud of you!!

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Mary Zinke — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:19:32 GMT

I know there have been comments that Royal Delta was over-matched in the World Cup, but I'm glad she was given the chance to try against some top international routers, after winning her maiden race only a year and a half ago. When I look at her, I think, that's 8.5 million dollars right there, but I know what her owner was buying, besides a very good racing filly, was time. Imagine being able to buy time. He was able to by-pass the years that go into establishing a broodmare band with a few purchases of excellent-pedigreed females. I wonder if the Sheikhs and Kings who beheld her in the walking ring at Meydan tried to improve upon her November purchase price. I'll admit that Royal Delta is my favorite filly. I love the way she runs. To me, she really shows that she has A.P. Indy in her blood. I may be just a bit biased, but I think she is very special, and I hope her trip will not have taken much out of her. Come back safe. Can't wait to see you here in the U.S. again, beautiful, tenacious, Royal Delta.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

Bill Two — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:03:42 GMT

I applaud the spirit of all those who shipped to Dubai to participate in the World Cup and supporting races. You talk about gambling, well...that's what it's all about. Taking a horse out of its' element and shipping it thousands of miles to a strange tract in a strange land with little time to acclimate is taking a huge gamble. It really boggles the mind when you think about it - a horse like Well Armed, never a world beater here, sure looked like one over there. Who knew? I really didn't think any of our horses would win the World Cup, but I was surprised they didn't finish closer. Who could have predicted the winner with confidence? All in all, it's a tough gamble for the owner, trainer, horse and rider. Hopefully all of them will return none the worse for wear.

re: Reflecting on Royal Delta's Dubai World Cup

ksweatman9 — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:48:22 GMT

It is difficult for anyone to really know how much the long trip abroad takes out of a horse. There is climate change, environmental differences, all these things may be hard for a horse to adapt to, especially a horse who is going to run the race of his or her life. Delta had less than a perfect trip and there is no shame in her gallant effort. This is the race I so much wanted to see Zenyatta shoot for, but her owners may have been thinking of the things I just mentioned.

re: Living the Dream

newsline2 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:22:30 GMT

She is stunning and it sounds as if everyone connected with her is doing it the way it should be done. Gloriously.

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

Michele MacDonald — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:55:42 GMT

Hi Frank,

Thanks so much! All the horses that come to Dubai with the plan to return home after the races stay within quarantine barns. They can go out to train, but they come back to the barn they are assigned, just like the Europeans do when in quarantine at Breeders' Cup.

re: Living the Dream

Michele MacDonald — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:52:52 GMT

Both of us in our own way, Steve!

re: Living the Dream

Karen in Indiana — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:21:51 GMT

Best wishes to all of them and hopes for making history!

re: Living the Dream

steve from st louis — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:30:11 GMT

So, who's living the dream, Leon or Michele? Either way, I'm jealous.

re: One More Perfect Day In The Desert

datflippinrabbit — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:01:03 GMT

I hope she wins it GOD has turned out to be such a fun horse,good luck Chantal from Jonno,Patrick and me.

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

deb — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:41:27 GMT

Go Big Girl! I will be rooting for you! May the power of Queen Z be with you on your race day.

'nuff said.....

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:15:35 GMT

Great article here Michele, thank you. I love Royal Delta and hope she gets the win in Dubai. I hope Princess Haya, who I believe is Sheikh Mo's wife, gets to give Royal Delta a big kiss, two formidable femme fatales! Filly power!!!!! Is Game On Dude in the same race? Well if he is he is just going to have to settle for second.

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

ksweatman9 — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:08:47 GMT

I don't see it happening for Delta, she's no Zenyatta, but you never know in horse racing. The journey abroad has to take a toll on horses who make the trip. That must play into everything even if the horse is a true talent.

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

Matt Helm — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:24:56 GMT

Much respect for Bill Mott.I don't think this filly could hit the board against the boys this weekend in The New Orleans Handicap.You got to be in it to win it.They got the invite so might as well swing for the fences.The World Cup doesn't look that deep to me this time around.

re: Mott Says Royal Delta is Feeling Sassy

Frank J. — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:55:36 GMT

Hi Michele,

I love reading your articles this week. I had a question on this particular one though..how come Delta had to go back to the quarantine barn on the 27th when she arrived a few days ago? Like I'm just not sure how that works can you explain it to me? Thanks, and have a good time! Will be watching Saturday!

re: A champion filly's work is never really done.

Zen4Zen — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:10:13 GMT

Great photos and story; so nice to hear that she's adapting well. She's certainly a beautiful filly!

re: Morning Line Goes to Dubai - Royal Delta

maryann727 — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:02:20 GMT

Also enjoyed all the comments thus far (11:27 AM) as you all expressed my thoughts and feelings about Royal Delta as well. Beautiful mare.

re: Morning Line Goes to Dubai - Royal Delta

maryann727 — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:00:02 GMT

Michele ~ Your opening sentence is poetically descriptive: "Even in the dim half light between night and morning, there was no mistaking her." It drew me into your essay, which I thoroughly enjoyed--Good writing! Loved your photographs of Royal Delta; my favorite is the close-up portrait with the caption 'Royal Delta"--it conveys some of her "opinionated" spirit. Wishing RD a good and safe trip. Thank you for your evocative essay.