Some international flavor and intrigue could be added to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday when a field of 11 squares off in Dubai in the $1 million United Arab Emirates Derby at Meydan Racecourse on the Dubai World Cup undercard.

As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby’s “Championship Series,” the winner of the UAE Derby will receive 100 qualifying points for the run for the roses, more than enough to earn a spot in the starting gate on May 4 at Churchill Downs. The runner-up will pick up 50 points, probably enough to crack the field, with the other three top finishers getting 25-15-10 points, which will leave them below the expected cutoff mark in a 20-horse field.

PLEASE NOTE: Numbers shown are the saddlecloth (with post position in parenthesis)

1. (Post-Position No. 9) Auto Bahn: Deserves some consideration off a second over the track in the Al Bastakiya Stakes. A winner in Argentina, he was second in both Meydan starts. One of three starters sent out by trainer Julio Olascoaga.

JOCKEY: Mickael Barzalona; TRAINER: Julio Olascoaga

2. (Post 3) Oasis Boy: Finished eighth behind probable UAE Derby favorite Forever Young in the Saudi Derby last month. A Group 2 winner in his native Argentina, but Oasis Boy seems overmatched here.

JOCKEY: Christophe Soumillon; TRAINER: Julio Olascoaga

3. (Post 1) Rock Walk: Ran second most recently in a Group 1 stakes in Uruguay, where he is a group stakes winner. Could be a threat in his first start for trainer Julio Olascoaga.

JOCKEY: Joao Moreira; TRAINER: Julio Olascoaga

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4. (Post 4) Ballon D’Or: Was sixth in the Hyacinth Stakes in Japan last time out and will need to take a step forward here.

JOCKEY: Norihiro Yokoyama; TRAINER: Mikio Matsunaga

5. (Post 11) Forever Young: The probable favorite and most likely winner. Undefeated Japanese runner closed stoutly to win the shorter Saudi Derby and should be tough to beat in this field.

JOCKEY: Ryusei Sakai; TRAINER: Yoshito Yahagi

6. (Post 6) George Tesoro: Japanese entrant was second last year in the Cattleya Stakes and looms a major threat here. Comes into the UAE Derby off a second in the Shoryu Stakes.

JOCKEY: Yuga Kawada; TRAINER: Takayuki Kato

7. (Post 7) Guns and Glory: Won a conditions race at Meydan last time out by 12 lengths but faces a big jump in class here.

JOCKEY: Jamie Spencer; TRAINER: Bhupat Seemar

Henry Adams training for UAE Derby. (Eclipse Sportswire)

8. (Post 5) Henry Adams: New to dirt, he was fourth in a pair of Group 1 stakes last year in Europe and won the Tyros Stakes. Hails from one of the world’s best barns.

JOCKEY: Ryan Moore; TRAINER: Aidan O’Brien

9. Killer Collect (SCRATCHED)

10. (Post 2) Mendelssohn Bay: Won the Group 3 UAE Two Thousand Guineas last time out on this main track and has the credentials to be a factor here.

JOCKEY: Pat Cosgrave; TRAINER: Bhupat Seemar

11. (Post 10) Navy Seal: Has a win and a third in five starts and seems the lesser of the two Aidan O’Brien starters.

JOCKEY: Wayne Lordan; TRAINER: Aidan O’Brien

12. (Post 8) Pandagate: The American hopeful trained by Christophe Clement. Was last seen at Aqueduct winning the Gander Stakes for New York-breds in February. His dirt experience gives him an edge, but he’ss facing much tougher company than in he did in the U.S of. A.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Christophe Clement

13. Satono Phoenix (SCRATCHED)

THE PICK: Forever Young

LIVE LONGSHOT: Rock Walk

SUPERFECTA: 5-6-12-10