Hollywood Park: Dubai World Cup card first 2013 major objective for Grandeur

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Grandeur, the winner of the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup on Saturday, will leave California for England in coming weeks after his first international trip this fall.

It will not be his last road trip in the near future.

Owner Yvonne Jacques said trainer Jeremy Noseda plans to have Grandeur back on an airplane in early 2013. Following Saturday’s race at Hollywood Park, Jacques said that Grandeur will be pointed for a race on Dubai World Cup day at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 30.

It was not clear whether trainer Jeremy Noseda would target the $10 million Dubai World Cup over 1 1/4 miles on a synthetic track, or, more likely, the $5 million Sheema Classic over 1 1/2 miles on turf on the same program. Grandeur has won 6 of 12 starts and $398,438 racing on turf. He has not raced on a synthetic track.

Grandeur made three starts in California in November and December. He won the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Nov. 2, and ran a game second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Nov. 25 before Saturday’s race.

In the Turf Cup, Grandeur closed from fifth in a field of 10 to win by three-quarters of a length over Interaction. The Turf Cup was Grandeur’s second stakes appearance against older horses. In England in August, he was third in the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor on a soft turf course.

Repeatedly, Grandeur has shown a fondness for firm turf, leading to his trip to California this fall where such courses are prevalent.

“I hope he’s come on from the race well and we’ll go to Dubai,” Jacques said on Saturday.

A gelding by Verglas, Grandeur had the greatest success of his career in California. He won three minor races in England earlier this year.