World Cup favourite Gio Ponti set for Tampa Bay

UAE: Dubai World Cup ante-post favourite Gio Ponti will have his prep race at an unusual venue after connections shipped him from California to Florida for a contest at Tampa Bay Downs on February 20.

The Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup is run over 1m½f and gives Gio Ponti  five weeks to prepare for the World Cup.

The Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap run next week had been under consideration for America's top turf horse, but trainer Chris Clement said the race "comes up too soon".

"He arrived last night, trained here this morning and trained well," Clement told Daily Racing Form on Wednesday.

"At the moment, we're most probably going to try the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup. The distance of the race, quality of the turf  course and timing to the Dubai World Cup are all reasons why we chose this  partucular race.

He added of moving Gio Ponti back to  Florida: "By bringing him here, I can keep him at Payson Park and see him every  day."