UAE Derby Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Mar 28)

International action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for March 28, as Meydan hosts the G2 UAE Derby. The winner will be awarded 100 qualifying points and an automatic starting place at Churchill Downs. Find the latest odds and our picks for the race here.

Odds

UAE Derby Recent Winners

UAE Derby: Event Information

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Race Preview

A competitive evening of high-quality racing is set for Dubai World Cup Night, with potential Kentucky Derby clues on the agenda in the G2 UAE Derby. This race has produced two Breeders’ Cup champions since 2021, with Rebel’s Romance winning the Turf on two occasions, and Forever Young landing the Classic in 2025.

Keiji Yoshimura-trained Pyromancer fits a similar profile to Forever Young, having landed success in the G1 Nisai Yushun on his latest start, just as the reigning BC Classic champion did on his final start before winning the UAE Derby. Interestingly, this Godolphin colt is a son of Pyro, and James Doyle is a fascinating booking.

Bhupat Seemar will have Six Speed in the race this weekend. The three-year-old son of Not This Time is already a three-time winner on the dirt with all wins coming at Meydan. He made a striking impression over a mile at the end of January when beating Devon Island by five lengths. However, this is a notable step up in grade from that UAE 2000 Guineas win.

Devon Island was well-beaten over a mile last time, but the Charlie Appleby raider has William Buick aboard and should strip fitter following that effort. Wonder Dean is another Japanese raider, but the Dee Majesty colt needs to bounce back after finishing four lengths behind Al Haram when fourth in the G3 Saudi Derby.

At a bigger price, Brotherly Love shouldn’t be discounted for the combination of Jamie Osborne and Saffie Osborne. The three-year-old was a dominant winner over course and distance last month, showing his true running after finishing only eighth when enduring in-running issues in the UAE 2000 Guineas.

UAE Derby Picks

Devon Island should run a better race this weekend, while Brotherly Love shouldn’t be discounted for a place.

However, I am excited to see Pyromancer defend his unbeaten record in this company, and he could be a significantly shorter price than his current odds of +3300 for the Kentucky Derby if he follows in the footsteps of Forever Young and wins impressively in Meydan.