Looking back on my pre-race comments about each horse, here is what was said about eventual Dubai Duty Free winner Jay Peg:
"A South African champion, Jay Peg has regularly improved in three starts in Dubai. Trainer Herman Brown added blinkers last time out and was closer than in the past. He was nose to nose with Seachange for a while in the Jebel Hatta and finishes four spots better than her, but it was just one length difference. At a price, Jay Peg could turn some heads when the finish line looms. I've been in his camp throughout the DIRC and a return to his South African success would not be crazy."
How crazy is 35-1? I "pegged" him (yes, pun intended) to finish fourth in the race and there was a period in the race when it looked like he was fading. This horse showed a resolve, a stamina, and jockey Anton Marcus wasn't too shabby himself, either. Jay Peg set a course record in the Duty Free that bested some pretty sharp equine challengers over the thirteen-year history of the race's at 1777 meters. It was a thrilling win for the connections who were balling their eyes out in the winner's circle. If that race doesn't get you excited, I don't know what would.
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