Oddsmakers had the Bevelle Farms superstar Negredo as the favorite at 3-1, followed by a logjam of contestants including filly Secret Dane, Vuvuzela, Gris De Gris, and Battlestar, at 9-2.
As race time approached, a rare Dubai cloudburst left the track sloppy which played right into the hands of Battlestar and Otsego Farms owner Jim Webber, who said, "I was prepared to scratch him, and then down came that sudden and heavy rain. I knew right then that we had a chance."
Most of the racers, with the exception of Victorian's Big Tail, seemed to tolerate the conditions fairly well, but Webber put it this way, "Maybe they will tolerate it, but the won't revel in it like Battlestar does. He is a mudder through and through, and not many will beat this fella at 10 furlongs in the mud."
Just prior to the race, Webber was asked who he thought would prove the most difficult to beat. "Negredo's record speaks for itself, and Gris De Gris is always a handful. Vuvuzela hasn't been able to find the winner's circle much, but he is very talented and cannot ever be ruled out. Of course the fillies are a threat as well. Homo Sapiens Filly is very tough at this distance and on this surface, and Secret Dane is a proven money winner."
When asked about the chances of Venial and Big Tail, the two horses he left out of his brief analysis, Webber didn't mince words. "Venial has never performed well against top-notch competition and Big Tail is pretty much washed up. Their owners could save those big entry fees because neither one of those guys has a chance."
Webber continued, "Statistically speaking, Secret Dane, Homo Sapiens Filly, and Battlestar are the speed horses in this race. Vuvuzela, Gris De Gris, and Battlestar are the stamina horses. Who do we have in common on those two lists?" With a satisfied look on his face, Webber added, "Throw in the fact that he loves mud, and it's not difficult to see that Battlestar could win this race."
Which of course he did, staving off a threat by Secret Dane down the stretch.
After the race, a jubilant Jim Webber, with the lovely and ageless Elizabeth Hurley on his arm, hosted a celebration attended by fellow owners, Donny Bujak (Chiquita - Secret Dane) and Finlay Lafleur (FDL - Vuvuzela, Gris De Gris) along with their lavish entourages.
