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While the UAE Derby has never yielded a Kentucky Derby winner, it is nonetheless a prestigious race for three-year-old and needs to be watched this season, as this is reportedly the last chance for the Godolphin Stables of Sheikh Mohammed to find a legitimate Triple Crown contender.

Shiekh Mohammed has never come close to winning the Run for the Roses despite his best efforts, with his best result being a sixth-place finish by China Visit in 2000.

The Godolphin hopes this season ride with Mendip (5-2), a son of Harlan’s Holiday that was purchased for $375,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale last year as a two-year-old.

Mendip has won all three of his career races over synthetic surfaces, but he is playing catch-up here after suffering some minor setbacks late in his juvenile season.

Stable rider Frankie Dettori has the call and he is expected to have this colt in a stalking position through the race.

The horse to beat looks to be Musir (8-5), an Australian-bred son of Redoute’s Choice that began his career in South Africa that has blossomed racing under the lights and over the Tapeta surface at Meydan.

South African trainer Michael De Kock has not said if he would come to Kentucky should his horse win his fifth race from six starts, but it is doubtful considering this colt has no real breeding for the conventional dirt at Churchill Downs.

Part of the appeal of this race in the international flavor of the race, as horses in this field have come from many different countries. It is worth nothing that Sourthern Hempshire four-year-olds are eligible to run in this race and that have a seasoning advantage over the younger competitors.

An interesting prospect is Raihana (9-2), a four-year-old Australian-bred filly that has won three of five career starts.

Unlike many of her competitors, she is bred to handle conventional dirt and synthetic surfaces, being by Elusive Quality out of a Sunday Silence mare.

Frozen Power (10-1) looks to be a live longshot for Godolphin. This son of champion European Sprinter Oasis Dream has plenty of seasoning, as he now makes his tenth career start. He will be tested going this distance, but has shown he has the ability of a top level racehorse, winning at prestigious European tracks Epsom and Deauville.

SELECTIONS: MENDIP, FROZEN POWER, RAIHANA