Thunder Snow will attempt to make history as the first two-time Dubai World Cup hero in the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, March 30. Among his American-based rivals are Seeking the Soul, Audible, and Gunnevera - the respective runner-up, fifth, and sixth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) - as well as Yoshida, who switches surfaces following a sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), and California shipper Pavel.

Rounding out the international squad is Japan's K T Brave, a nine-time listed stakes winner still looking for a Grade 1 breakthrough.

Post Time for the 2019 Dubai World Cup will be approximately 11:40 AM ET

Three of the World Cup probables aim to improve on last year's effort. Pavel was fourth, Gunnevera eighth while sustaining a significant foot injury, and Dubai Carnival star North America was a toss-out last after blowing the break. North America has since conquered the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) and Round 2 (G2) and promises to atone this time.

Others are emerging from the March 9 Super Saturday card. The massively improved Capezzano spoiled Thunder Snow's comeback in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1), where South Korea's Dolkong was a fast-finishing third, New Trails fourth, and Gronkowski a useful fifth in his debut on the circuit. Axelrod, representing the same connections as "Gronk," was a forgettable 10th in the Burj Nahaar (G3) and hopes for better second up.

THUNDER SNOW

Godolphin's contender is already in the local history books as the only horse to win both the Group 2 UAE Derby and Group 1 Dubai World Cup, and will seek to add further gloss to his resume by becoming the first dual winner of the latter.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, the most successful handler in the history of the 2000m dirt feature with eight winners to his name, said: "He did his final serious piece of work on Saturday and went very well indeed. He needed his Super Saturday outing-his first run since November-badly and has come on a lot for it. We expect him to run a big race under conditions we know suit him, but obviously it is a good race."

The five-year-old Helmet horse provided his trainer Saeed bin Suroor with an eighth success in the 10-furlong dirt showpiece 12 months ago, when he powered clear to beat West Coast by five and three quarter lengths in the 23rd running.

Thunder Snow went on to perform admirably in two of North America's leading G1 races on dirt over a mile and a quarter, going down by a neck in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in September before an excellent performance to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November. He is also one of a select group of horses to have won G1 races on both dirt and turf, having captured the 2016 Criterium International and 2017 Prix Jean Prat on grass in France.

The Godolphin star is seeking a third successive Dubai World Cup night victory following his G2 UAE Derby win on dirt two years ago.

Thunder Snow makes his second appearance of 2019 after coming home second to Capezzano in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three, run over the same course and distance as the Dubai World Cup, on Super Saturday, 9 March, following a four-month break.

Christophe Soumillon, who has partnered Thunder Snow in 16 races including for the three G1 wins, takes the ride again in the US$12-million feature.

NORTH AMERICA

The ultimate machine. Speed, size and imposing presence. North America has become as big as his name implies in 2019 in just two starts and is now the Dubai World Cup (G1) favorite.

The son of stellar stallion Dubawi has made a procession of things so far, winning both the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) and Round 2 (G2) with ease. Going directly to the front, he has shown no mercy to his foes, winning by open lengths under a confident Richard Mullen.

Trainer Satish Seemar was kind enough to allow the Meydan media relations team a morning to watch the classy charge execute his final major breeze (workout) for his Mar. 30, $12 million test. The setting was Seemar's yard, gorgeous Zabeel Stables near downtown Dubai.

Last year, North America was one of the favorites before the gates opened for the world's richest race, but unfortunately did not break and was unable to utilise his front-running tactics. He goes back this year for a bit of revenge on his arch rival Thunder Snow, a foe he has faced four times, including an epic battle in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 of 2018.

On Tuesday, he breezed 1400m (seven furlongs) in company. Mullen was aboard. Trainer Seemar was following intently behind on the way to the track.

After taking in the scenery for a bit, including being very interested in what we were up to, the bay 7-year-old took to a canter around the 1800m course before breaking into his 1400m work with enthusiasm. The track is situated in the peaceful Zabeel area, which is adjacent to the DIFC region of Dubai, with the famous Dubai Frame overlooking the action.

As tall as the famously laid-back charge stands, he actually covers just as much ground; striding massively and appearing as agile and push-button as horses much more compact than he is.

He finished up his seven panels in 1:27 flat, with his final three furlongs (200m each) in 11.9, 11.8 and 11.6 seconds. In the final three furlongs, he went from two lengths ahead of his workmate to easily a dozen at the line.

North America now heads to the 2000m Dubai World Cup as the proverbial horse-to-beat, carrying many local racing fans' hopes, as he has created quite the fan-base. A brilliant pace-setter, he will also have to take on swift types from America, as well as up-and-coming Capezzano. Still, his work on Tuesday had to give his connections confidence that he is squarely ready for the challenge.

And it is easy to see that he, in no small part because of his sweet demeanor, is absolutely adored by the yard.

While at Zabeel Stables, we also were able to see another yard star who is competing on Dubai World Cup day, Secret Ambition (below), who takes part in the $1.5 million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One (Group 2).

Anything can happen in horseracing, especially in the Dubai World Cup-but one thing is certain: if North America runs his race, we are in for quite a show from this gorgeous animal!

AUDIBLE

When it comes to pulling off some sensational illusions, racehorses could put Houdini to shame with their collective sleight.

They can act like the second coming during morning hours and then leave their conditioners fitful when the race day results fail to match. Conversely, they can give off airs of disinterest in their daily training only to hit the competitive switch when the starting gates open.

Throughout his nine-race career, Audible has mastered the art of leaving trainer Todd Pletcher suitably stumped. This time last year, the son of Into Mischief looked downright ordinary in his preparations, but went on to deliver his best efforts to date. While the last few months have seen Audible finally start touting himself in the morning, backing up that gusto in the results column has become the new challenge.

Which version of Audible will show up for his expected run in the US$12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline is the $64,000 question for his connections. If it's the one that captured the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) last year prior to his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, there stands a good chance the bay colt owned by China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing could become the latest American-based runner to depart with the golden hardware.

In his last two starts, however, Audible has looked a notch below his best self, finishing second in the Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) last December and fifth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. He caught a sealed, sloppy Gulfstream Park main track on both occasions -conditions he didn't appear to relish - but he had also given his camp reason to think he would be sitting on go regardless.

"What's been frustrating about his last two starts is he's breezed better for those two races than he has really at any time in his 3-year-old year," Pletcher said. "He's somewhat of an inconsistent work horse and during his 3-year-old year, I was concerned going into the Florida Derby because his final work wasn't quite as sharp as I was hoping for and he ran terrific. Since then, since coming back, he's really turned into a very consistent training horse. All of his breezes have been really, really good and we've gotten exactly what we've asked him to do. It kind of leaves us scratching our heads a little bit about his last two starts."

One thing that has often been steadfast for Audible is his ability to give an honest account of himself even when victory eludes him. His outing in the Pegasus World Cup marked the first time he had finished worse than third and his five career victories have been earned at distances from 1400m to 1800m.

"He came out of (the Pegasus) well and trained well and really it's just such a lucrative opportunity that we feel like if he shows up and runs the kind of race that he did in the Florida Derby or Kentucky Derby, he's capable of getting a piece of it," said Pletcher, who will also be represented by Coal Front in the Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One.

In a mantel already crowded with Breeders' Cup triumphs, classic victories, and seven Eclipse Awards, success in Dubai is one of the few remaining carrots left dangling for Pletcher. His 0-for-16 record on the Dubai World Cup card features such close calls as Harlan's Holiday's runner-up finish in the 2003 edition of the signature race, and Pletcher readily admits that leaving no elite stone unturned fuels his motivation.

"I would love to add (a Dubai win) to our stable's resume. We've knocked on the door several times," Pletcher said. "We've had some really quality races over there and some good seconds, but that elusive win is what we're searching for."

The weeks since his Pegasus run have seen Audible make his case as a viable Dubai World Cup threat through a steady series of bullet workouts. Everything Pletcher has seen has told him the colt can handle the mental and physical challenge of taking on the world's best.

He just hopes, this time, what he's seeing is a sign of things to come and not a reminder of what once was.

DOLKONG

When the attractive chestnut Dolkong placed third in Round 3 of the G1 Maktoum Challenge sponsored by Emirates Airline on Super Saturday, it represented a pinnacle of achievement for a South Korean-trained horse.

Just being part of the line-up for Saturday night's Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline is a dream come true for promoters of the sport in the American-bred's adopted homeland.

Not that it will filter through to a TV audience in his adopted country - where even local racing is not beamed live to homes - but to counteract this, the Korean Racing Authority will give his legion of fans an opportunity to watch him compete against the world's best on the huge video screen at Let's Run Park in Seoul at the admittedly challenging hour of 1:40 a.m. local time.

"He is the most popular horse in Korea and we have many people talking about him in the mainstream media. His performances in Dubai have captured the imagination and we are very proud of what he has done," Dr Seungho Ryu, the KRA's international racing manager, noted.

Overseeing the 5-year-old's preparation is trainer Simon Foster. The Western Australian, who decamped to Seoul in 2017, is enjoying the ride and the associated attention.

"He has gone from being a novelty item earlier in the Carnival to being placed in a Group 1 and deserving respect and his place in the big one, the richest race in the world. It is obviously his biggest test yet, but he couldn't be in better form and we are really looking forward it," the handler said on Monday.

On this third start at Meydan in late February he routed a Listed line-up by almost 10 lengths to fuel connections' hopes that he could feasibly seal a slot in the Dubai World Cup with a big run on Super Saturday.

"It was a quick back-up, just nine days, into his last start and things didn't go his way. He was a bit slowly out of the barriers and then he was caught wide in the run. But to his great credit he still stayed on very well at the finish," Foster recalled.

"That's one thing about this horse: he is very genuine. No matter what he faces he still battles his very best to line. I have never seen him in a race where he doesn't hit the line hard."

Foster is of the belief that a freshen-up of three weeks since that last outing will stand Dolkong in good stead and maintains his horse has thrived at Meydan since arriving in the Emirates just before Christmas.

"He loves it here. I have never seen him better," he enthused.

"Mentally, he is much stronger and mature. The same can be same about him physically and he is just a very happy and healthy horse in Dubai. We can do a lot more with him than we can at home Seoul and that variety has really switched him on."

Overseas bookmakers rate Dolkong no bigger than 25-1 for the Saturday's showpiece. Ryu of the KRA is a little more circumspect and claims he would be happy for connections to collect a slice of prize-money stretching down to sixth place.

Perhaps Dolkong's never-say-die attitude makes this a realistic goal. Foster certainly thinks so.

"We think the best is yet to come," he concluded.

GUNNEVERA

Trainer Antonio Sano is currently in Miami overseeing his home team, so Gunnevera's preparation for Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline is being monitored by his two sons, Alex and Maurizio. The chestnut had a gentle morning on the dirt track.

"He arrived on Thursday last week with all the American horses, he travelled well and hopefully it stays that way," Alex Sano said. "Today he went half a lap jogging the opposite way and then he did a lap and a half of slow gallop. He did all his strong work in the U.S. He did his last breeze last Monday (and) it was very good. My father will be here on Wednesday to see him, but the horse is just taking it easy this week."

K T BRAVE

K T Brave was out early this morning, where he cantered one lap around the Meydan dirt track under an exercise rider from Ujitawara Yushun Stable, Hiroya Uwatoko.

"He shipped well and arrived in good shape," said Keita Tanaka, the agent for owner Kazuyoshi Takimoto.

The 6-year-old son of Admire Max will be making his first international start this Saturday. Joao Moreira will be in the irons.

NEW TRAILS

Ahmad bin Harmash is approaching the biggest assignment of his training career with a `business as usual' attitude, as he prepares the lightly raced 5-year-old New Trails to become his first runner in the Dubai World Cup.

"There is no change to the routine, just the regular canters," said Bin Harmash, who is enjoying his most successful campaign, after compiling 20 winners in his sixth season with a trainer's license among the peace and quiet of his desert facility at Al Aasfa stables.

New Trails, who was bred by Darley in the USA and started his career with one win from three races in Godolphin colours under master French trainer Andre Fabre, was switched to Bin Harmash as a gelded 4-year-old last October and promptly defied a break of 18 months by winning a Meydan handicap. He continued to climb up the ranks on the dirt surface, winning another handicap by 10½ lengths and running a good second to North America in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, before running below his best when fourth to pace-setting Capezzano in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3.

Bin Harmash, who believes that last outing was not New Trails at his best, completed the son of Medaglio d'Oro's final piece of serious work on Sunday.

PAVEL

The Doug O'Neill-trained Dubai World Cup contender Pavel arrived in Dubai on March 20. He came out onto the dirt track at Meydan Monday morning just before 7:00 a.m., where he worked 800m. His work was supervised by Leandro Mora, Doug O'Neill's main assistant. The grey, who had finished fourth behind Thunder Snow in last year's Dubai World Cup, looked in good form.

"He likes it here," Mora said. "He likes travelling. It took about 18 hours to get here and everything went well. This morning, he worked 800m. On my watch it was 50 flat, but I didn't take the pulse. I took a wild guess. I watched his performance and saw how he got it back. You could tell that he is in good form. I'm pretty pleased with him."

SEEKING THE SOUL

Charles Fipke's Seeking the Soul was among the first horses on the track Monday morning, coming on just after 5:00 a.m. for an easy gallop. Trainer Dallas Stewart, who is making his second straight appearance in the Dubai World Cup, was en route to Dubai from New Orleans.

YOSHIDA

Multiple Grade 1 winner Yoshida, trained by Bill Mott for owners China Horse Club International Ltd, WinStar Farm, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners, arrived in Dubai on March 19 in preparation for the Dubai World Cup.

The handsome Japanese-bred son of Heart's Cry arrives off a sixth-place finish in the inaugural Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Mott's son and top assistant Riley Mott will oversee the final preparations for Yoshida, who boasts Grade 1 wins on turf and dirt, having captured the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, as well as the prestigious Woodward at Saratoga last year.

"He's settled in really well," he said. "He travelled great and we're very happy with him. The facilities here are top class. This is my seventh time over here and I find it very adaptable. We're treated very well."

Yoshida went out just after 7:00 a.m. to stretch his legs over the Meydan dirt track.

"He just had a routine gallop this morning and we let him stand in the gate. Nothing too serious," Mott said.

Jose Ortiz, who has piloted Yoshida though his last two starts and was aboard for the Grade 1 score at Churchill Downs, will make his first appearance in Dubai to ride the versatile bay.

Yoshida is one of four Dubai World Cup runners who competed in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, captured by Accelerate, including the runner-up

Gunnevera, third-place finisher and defending Dubai World Cup champion Thunder Snow and the well-travelled Pavel, who finished tenth.

Mott said he expects Ortiz, who guided Yoshida to a closing fourth-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic, will have plenty of options in the 2000m test.

"It sounds like there's a lot of pace from the local horses, but we have a horse that's pretty versatile in the way he runs," Mott said. "He's able to adapt to the pace scenario, so we don't have to be too concerned. It's just a matter of how the race develops in front of him."