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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Richard Mandella was dubbed "King Richard" after winning a record four Breeders' Cup races five months ago. Add another title: "Sheik Richard."
The Hall of Fame trainer's Pleasantly Perfect outdueled Medaglia d'Oro Saturday to win the $6-million Dubai World Cup.
Mandella has been coming to this wealthy sheikdom since the World Cup began in 1996. Three times, his horses finished second - Soul of the Matter in 1996, Siphon in 1997 and Malek in 1999.
But this time was different. When racing's top two older horses hooked up in a thrilling stretch run, it was Pleasantly Perfect who prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
WINSTAR OAKS: Speedy Falcon, a Florida-bred going a mile for the first time, scored a wire-to-wire, 6-length win in the $261,000 race in Sunland, N.M. The filly's time was 1:36.57 and she paid $9.60, $4.40 and $3.60. Sister Swank paid $2.80 and $2.60, and Skyladysky $5.80.
SANTA ANA HANDICAP: Katdogawn won the $150,000 race when first-place finisher Megahertz was disqualified for interference in the stretch. Megahertz ran 11/8 miles in 1:47.36, but cut off Arabic Song and Sweetshew midstretch and was placed last. Katdogawn finished a length behind Megahertz in the Grade II turf race for mares and fillies at Santa Anita. Katdogawn paid $12.60, $5.60 and $4.80, Fun House returned $7.20 and $5.80, and Arabic Song $7.40.