One-time 2012 GIII Pegasus S. hero Le Bernardin (Bernardini) has spent several profitable seasons on the Dubai circuit, and will be looking for his first win in the 1600-metre G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday at Meydan. The now 8-year-old entire won the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over this distance last January and he signed off his spring campaign with a third-place effort behind Cool Cowboy (Kodiak Kowboy) in the 2016 version of this event. Resuming in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile Dec. 15, Le Bernardin ran fourth and he was not seen again until winning his second consecutive Al Maktoum Challenge R1 with Saturday's rival Argentinian G1SP Lindo Amor (Arg) (Dynamix) third Jan. 5. He found 1900 metres a bridge too far when fourth again–reopposing Korean champion Power Blade (Kor) (Menifee) was one better–in Furia Cruzada (Chi) (Newfoundland)'s G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Feb. 2.
Several foes are hooking up again out of North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})'s seven-length G3 Firebreak S. romp Feb. 11. Runner-up Ennobled Friend (Malibu Moon), one place better than Linda Amor, will also have to contend with fourth-place finisher Heavy Metal (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who was successful at the group level in England.
Sheikh Juma bin Dalmook Al Maktoum's Stormardal (Ire) (Shamardal) has been on a tear of late, and he is looking to extend his winning skein to four, after three successive victories in 1600-metre handicaps over the Meydan dirt, kicking off last March. Shelved until a 5 1/2-length win coming off the bench locally Nov. 3, the bay closed well to make it three in a row Dec. 1.
'TDN Rising Star' Polar River (Congrats)'s connections are hoping for a better break for their 2016 G3 UAE Oaks heroine. Winless since, she trailed in eighth after blowing the break in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 behind Le Barnardin Jan. 5.
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