Bill Mott Sprinters In Dubai: Casa Creed 'Always Runs Well Fresh,' Bold Journey 'Hasn't Dropped An Oat'

In 1996, the Bill Mott-trained Cigar put the Dubai World Cup on the map in its inaugural running with that tenacious victory over Soul of the Matter at old Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

The same year, 24-year-old Neil Poznansky was celebrating his most productive season as a jockey, winning 145 races en route to being named champion apprentice in both the United States and Canada, one of only three riders to accomplish that feat.

For the last 15 years or so since his retirement from the saddle, give or take, Poznansky has been Mott's right-hand man and made his first trip to Dubai in 2010. The horseman is back in the Emirates this week, overseeing the preparation of Casa Creed towards a second appearance in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by AZIZI Developments (1200m), and Bold Journey in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Nakheel (1200m).

"He's really been a sound horse and he's always had the desire to do it," Poznansky said of the 8-year-old Casa Creed, who holds the unusual distinction of being a two-time winner at home over six furlongs and at a mile. "He always runs well fresh and I think the cutback to six furlongs should not be an issue."

Twice narrowly beaten in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint (1400m) in Saudi Arabia and fifth and not beaten far behind A Case OF You in the 2022 Al Quoz, Casa Creed makes his first start since a close third behind Master of the Seas in last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Mile (1600m).

Bold Journey was victorious in a pair of stakes in New York in November and December to earn a trip to last month's G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m). He finished off his race powerfully to be third to Japan's re-opposing Remake to secure his ticket to the Golden Shaheen.