Captain Steve's a world-beater

Dubai delight: Captain Steve (c) goes into the lead

Captain Steve gave America and jockey Jerry Bailey their third victory in the six runnings of the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horserace.

The Bob Baffert-trained colt, a 7-4 joint favourite, was sent to the front by Bailey inside the final furlong at Nad Al Sheba.

And the combination strode clear to beat the front-running Japanese horse To The Victory by three lengths with Hightori finishing strongly to claim third, half-a-length away.

Before a multi-national crowd of more than 50,000, the American horse crushed his 11 rivals with a power-packed display.

The hopes of the hosts winning the race for the fourth time since it was inaugurated in 1996 were all in vain with the three Godolphin contenders unable to make an impact.

  Dubai World Cup result

1 Captain Steve 7-4jf

2 To The Victory 25-1

3 Hightori 8-1

Frankie Dettori, usually the golden boy of the Nad Al Sheba crowd, was booed by sections of the crowd as he returned on eighth-placed Best of the Bests.

Silver-haired trainer Bob Baffert punched the air as Captain Steve passed the post to secure the first prize in the 6m contest.

Soon afterwards Sheikh Mohammed, the Godolphin founder and brains behind the Dubai World Cup, gave Baffert a congratulatory hug.

The trainer said: "It's turned out to be a fantastic week but my hair was turning black when they were running down the back side.

"It was only when they turned for home that I thought he was going the right way and might be able to win."

It was the Japanese runner To The Victory that had thrown down the gauntlet to her 11 rivals, setting a scorching pace.

With Best of the Bests beginning to beat a retreat after the halfway stage it was left to Captain Steve to give chase.

I went weak at the knees

  Winning owner Mike Pegram

Bailey, who won the race on Cigar in 1996 and SIngspiel a year later, sent his mount to the front in the straight and he stretched out impressively for victory.

"Halfway through the race he seemed to be under a bit of pressure. But it all came right eventually," said Bailey.

"When he finished third in the Breeders' Cup he didn't have a free run. This time he had a clear trip and didn't have to overcome any major obstacles."

Baffert, who sent out Silver Charm to win in three years ago, said: "It's a long way to come and it would have been disappointing if he hadn't been first or second. But this is a smart horse and I knew he'd shipped well."

The winner was bought for just $70,000 by Mike Pegram, who owns a string of McDonald's restaurant franchises.

Accidental arrest

He said: "$70,000 might seem cheap but it can buy you a lot of hamburgers. We're just lucky he turned out so well.

"I went weak at the knees when I saw Jerry looking confident turning for home. The only other time I've felt like that was when I won the Kentucky Derby."

Pegram's entourage included Louisville policeman Steve Thompson who had the horse named after him.

The owner rewarded Thompson when he came to his aid after being arrested for accidentally carrying a pistol on to an aeroplane.

Best of the Bests' eclipse rounded off a miserable night for Dettori.

It was in marked contrast to 12 months ago when the Italian had steered Dubai Millennium to a spectacular success in the race.

Dettori said of Best of the Bests: "He ran too freely and did not finish. I was beaten on the turn."

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Dubai World Cup, 1m2f, Nad Al Sheba
(Winner £2.4m) 1m2f, 1715 GMT
1 Captain Steve 7-4jf, 2 To The Victory 25-1, 3 Hightori 8-1