1 Forever Young
Proved himself on the Meydan dirt track when winning the Group 2 UAE Derby (1,900m) in 2024. The way he grabbed Romantic Warrior late in that thrilling finish to February's Group 1 Saudi Cup (1,800m) confirmed his top quality and great courage. Holding an edge on ratings, he has been maintained in the same scintillating form and looks hard to beat.
2 Hit Show
Twice an 1,800m Grade 2 winner in the US in 2024. Earlier in 2025, he outclassed his rivals in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes (1,900m) at the Fair Grounds. However, although making late headway to finish third in a Grade 1 over 2,000m at Santa Anita in March, plenty more is needed for success in this huge prize on his Meydan debut.
3 Il Miracolo
Would shock if he wins as his name may suggest. A good but not brilliant dirt performer in the US, winning four of his 22 starts. A Grade 3 winner over 1,700m at Gulfstream Park in March 2024, but he has not been seen since finishing down the field behind the re-opposing Mixto in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic (2,000m) at Del Mar last August.
4 Imperial Emperor
Fast improving and has already earned connections far more than he cost. His reputation skyrocketed when he won the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic over this course and distance in March, beating stablemate Artorius by a whopping 8½ lengths. Another big showing at Meydan is widely anticipated.
5 Katonah
The latest of his five career wins came in a Grade 2 over 1,800m at Santa Anita in January. However, he could never threaten to make a big move from off the pace in a Grade 1 there subsequently. Hard to fancy in this first start outside of California.
6 Mixto
Ratings and low winning strike rate suggest that his chances are not strong. He did win a Grade 1 over 2,000m at Del Mar last August, but some of the better fancied contenders appeared to underperform that day. Fourth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (1,800m) at his last start in January.
7 Ramjet
Gained four consecutive victories earlier in his career but has finished fourth, third and sixth behind his brilliant rival Forever Young in his last three starts. He never threatened in the Saudi Cup on the latest of those, so looks very vulnerable.
8 Rattle N Roll
This 10-time winner has enjoyed plenty of Graded success in the US. He added to his winning tally when coming late as usual to easily win the Group 3 The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques over 1,800m in Saudi Arabia in January. But he could not make an impact in the Saudi Cup subsequently, beaten nearly 13 lengths.
9 Ushba Tesoro
Came from the back to finish second in last year's renewal, though never looked like he could catch runaway winner Laurel River. Finished behind Forever Young on his latest two starts, taking third place more than 10 lengths behind in the Saudi Cup last time. An unlikely winner but can get into the money.
10 Walk Of Stars
Led for some of the trip in the Saudi Cup but faded right out. Liable to run much better as Meydan brings out the best in him, as he showed again in December's Listed Entisar (1,800m) and with his front-running victory over stablemate Imperial Emperor in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1,800m) in January. An aggressive ride is likely again, but he will be hard-pressed late.
11 Wilson Tesoro
Like others, this eight-time winner and stablemate to Ushba Tesoro has struggled behind Forever Young on recent starts, lately outpaced as Forever Young and Romantic Warrior's famous duel in the Saudi Cup intensified. He finished fourth then, as he had done in this famous race in 2024. HKJC
