March 26, 2021 
The near-mile-long Meydan Grandstand will be near-vacant, filled only with horses’ connections and few invited guests.
Even media will be relatively sparse for one of Thoroughbred racing’s most significant annual events.
The festivities will be made somewhat more solemn out of respect for the March 24 passing of one of the United Arab Emirates two most significant international horsemen, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, older brother of Dubai Ruler and equally avid horseman, Sheikh Mohammed.
In many ways, the 2021 Dubai World Cup will seem reverential.
Reverential in its relative quiet.
Reverential in that it can happen at all in the midst of an ongoing worldwide health crisis that cancelled last year’s meeting.
Reverential in that the first race, the $750,000 Kayhala Classic for Purebred Arabians, will seem less a well-pursed horse race than an homage to the world’s most prominent supporter of the Arabian breed, Sheikh Hamdan, represented in the race by Al Zahir.
But reverential also to the faith of a trainer and the connections that could not have seen themselves at Dubai’s Meydan, surely a grand “church” among world racecourses, a year ago.
Jesus’ Team will leave gate 9 at current 9-2 odds behind the Godolphin favorite, Mystic Guide, currently at 7-2. But behind is where the son of Tapiture has been his entire 4-year-old career.
But not too far behind.
Owned by Grupo 7C Racing Stable, the son of Tapiture (out of Golden Memories by Suave) and a grandson of Tapit on his sire’s side, won a $25,000 claiming race last May 8 at Gulfstream in Florida after being moved to the stable of trainer Jose D’Angelo.
Jesus’ Team finished third to winner and current World Cup favorite Mystic Guide in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga. He went into the delayed October 3 Preakness (G1) fresh and finished a very respectable third on the heels of near-record-time winner Swiss Skydiver and eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic.
Jesus’ Team then went on to finish runner-up to Knicks Go in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). He again would place to Knicks Go in the Jan. 23 Pegasus World Cup (G1) at home in Gulfstream, but has not raced since. His connections believe he is ready for his biggest race.
“We wanted a fresh horse for Dubai,” says trainer D’Angelo, explaining why Jesus’ Team has been rested, skipping last month’s Saudi Cup.
Perhaps because of his initial claimer status and his under-the-radar connections, Jesus’ Team has seemed undervalued. Now 3-5-3 from 14 starts, Jesus’ Team is often in the money but not as often in the Winners’ Circle.
That could change Saturday in Dubai with what is considered a very competitive field.
And he’s no “claimer” anymore, having earned $1.09 million on the track with the winner’s share of the $12 million winning purse on the line in the Dubai World Cup.
Trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo was hopeful following the Dubai World Cup draw. “When I saw post position 9, I was happy because it’s in the middle (of the full 14-horse field),” said the trainer. “He doesn’t need to make an aggressive move at the beginning. I like the number 9. It was a relief. In the Breeders’ Cup Mile he had to start from gate 11. He can move fast to find a good spot. So, I like this post position.”
Bettors may as well. The odds may shorten near the Saturday start of the race. And Jesus’ Team will have the advantage of being piloted by Joel Rosario, who won the 2013 Dubai World Cup aboard Animal Kingdom.
Oh, and his name has no religious connotations. Jesus’ Team is named after the owner’s son.
But that doesn’t mean his connections don’t believe.
