American Dubai hits heights

American Dubai was to be shipped to Ruidoso Downs on Monday to train at a high elevation in advance of a possible start in the Keeneland Korea Cup at Seoul Racecourse in South Korea, said his trainer, Rodney Richards.

American Dubai, the winner of the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap and the $150,000 Sunland Park Handicap, has been stabled at owner Richard Keith’s farm in Hobbs, N.M., with plans to eventually be based at nearby Zia Park.

Richards has been working on the logistics of sending American Dubai to South Korea. The race is Sept. 10.

“This is a great opportunity,” Richards said Monday. “It’s exciting for us. We want to go. We’re trying to get everything in order if we can. Our situation is getting a lot of paperwork in order, and [a suitable] flight.”

Richards said he is seeking to fly American Dubai out of New Mexico or the neighboring Texas town of El Paso. As for race preparation, the training game plan is in place for American Dubai, who on Aug. 5 was a nine-length winner of the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap with a Beyer Speed Figure of 97. Just as with human athletes, oxygen levels in horses improve at sea level after training above sea level.

“Ruidoso has an elevation of 5,500 feet,” Richards said. “Shipping over there, we’re going to sea level.”

Last year, the Korea Racing Authority and Keeneland Association announced the inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup. For its first running the race was at 1,800 meters and had an approximate purse of $855,000.

Thermistor has options

The undefeated 2-year-old Thermistor could see stakes action at Kentucky Downs or Remington Park next, according to trainer J.R. Caldwell.

Thermistor won Colorado’s richest race, the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity, on Aug. 13 at Arapahoe Park, improving his career record to 2 for 2. Caldwell said the horse will be considered for the $350,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile, a seven-furlong turf race Sept. 2, or the $75,000 Kip Deville over six furlongs Sept. 24 at Remington Park.

Remington opens on Friday.

Eagle Jazz fails to qualify

The field for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs has been set after two days of time trials for the Quarter Horse classic Friday and Saturday. The finale is Sept. 4.

Ruidoso put on 28 trials. The horses with the five fastest times from each 14-race card earned a spot in the gate for the finale. Shakem Bye Perry was the fastest qualifier Friday with a 440-yard time of 21.66 seconds. Bigg Daddy set the standard for Saturday with a time of 21.61.

Eagle Jazz, the nation’s top 2-year-old, failed to qualify. He ran in the 13th race Saturday, and while he won by 4 1/2 lengths, his time of 21.95 seconds did not crack the top five. Eagle Jazz had been the lone horse eligible for a $4 million bonus available to the 2-year-old who could sweep the Ruidoso Futurity (which he won in a dead heat), the Rainbow (which he took in July), and the All American.

The remaining qualifiers from Saturday were Uptown Dynasty, 21.80; Hawkeye, 21.80; Hotstepper, 21.82; and Fly Baby Fly, 21.90. The remaining qualifiers from Friday were: Heza Streakin Legacy, 21.79; Hes Limitless, 21.81; Believe Me Irene, 21.84; and My Secret Glory, 21.85.

Hold Air Hostage was the fastest qualifier for the $1.3 million All American Derby when he won his 440-yard trial Sunday in 21.10 seconds. A shake was held for the 10th and final spot in the gate for the Sept. 3 finale after Imperial Eagle, the winner of last year’s All American Futurity, and Magestic Eagle each had a trial time of 21.64 seconds. The shake was won by Magestic Eagle, according to Ruidoso.

Eramia back to work

Richard Eramia, the leading rider at Louisiana Downs and the winner of the title at the recent meet at Lone Star Park, returned from vacation with his family and started working horses at Remington Park on Monday. The meet opens Friday.

◗ Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has announced it will host the 17th annual Track Superintendents Conference from March 25-27.