The $6 million Dubai World Cup (G1), the world's richest horse race, celebrates its thirteenth renewal on Saturday. On Wednesday afternoon the post positions were drawn, with a field of thirteen making final entry. They will travel 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) on the main dirt track at Dubai's Nad al Sheba Racecourse, and the winner joins an elite group of world-beaters including inaugural winner Cigar, Singspiel, Dubai Millennium, and Invasor, winner of last year's edition.
In a stroke of bad luck, expected favorite Curlin drew post 12, which has never won the Dubai World Cup. Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said, "Draw's fine for us. We got a long run to the first turn and a 3/8 mile stretch so we like our draw, he likes to be on the outside of horses, so I think it sets up for him. We have 12 other horses to beat so we have to run our best race. But there are always worries. They're all quality horses, good horsemen, good owners. You don't enter in this race if you don't think you can win. Jalil, Vermilion, these are very nice horses, very strong field. I think he's more strong, more mature since his 3-year-old year, he's the complete package. I'm glad he's running and not me. He's physically ready to run."
Sheikh Mohammed sends out Jalil, an impressive winner of the Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the major local prep for the World Cup, who drew post 8. He said, "Eight? I'm happy with that. No problem. He's hard to handicap the race, you know. A good horse can win from anywhere. We have many good horses (entered on Saturday), Diabolical, Cocoa Beach, Jalil. Hard to say (which is our best chance). Curlin is a top class horse, I have lots of respect for him. He has all the chances in the race."
Since betting is illegal in the UAE, the international wagering hub is located in South Africa and their rules apply. The races will be shown live in North America on HRTV in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada, and the big race will be shown on tape delay as part of the Florida Derby telecast on Saturday, March 29, from 6-7pm EDT.
Below are the entries for the Dubai World Cup with post positions and North American morning line odds. Free past performances for the entire card are available in this Form Guide from Dubai Racing Club.
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight | M/L Odds |
| 1 | Sway Yed | S Alkahtani | O Peslier | 126 | 100-1 |
| 2 | Well Armed | E Harty | A T Gryder | 126 | 33-1 |
| 3 | Happy Boy | S bin Suroor | K McEvoy | 126 | 16-1 |
| 4 | Kocab | A Fadre | S Pasquier | 126 | 33-1 |
| 5 | Great Hunter | D O'Neill | G K Gomez | 126 | 66-1 |
| 6 | Premium Tap | J Gardel | S Madrid | 126 | 14-1 |
| 7 | Vermilion | S Ishizaka | Y Take | 126 | 12-1 |
| 8 | Jalil | S bin Suroor | L Dettori | 126 | 7-1 |
| 9 | Asiatic Boy | M de Kock | J P Murtagh | 126 | 10-1 |
| 10 | Lucky Find | M de Kock | K Shea | 126 | 25-1 |
| 11 | Gloria de Campeao | P Bary | C Lemaire | 126 | 33-1 |
| 12 | Curlin | S Asmussen | R J Albarado | 126 | 2-5 |
| 13 | A.P. Arrow | T Pletcher | R A Dominguez | 126 | 25-1 |
