Dubai -- The results of Saturday's $2 million UAE Derby were expected to validate the status of the lightly-raced Inamorato as Godolphin's leading contender for Kentucky Derby 129.

That probably occurred, but not as it was expected as South African-based 4-year-old Victory Moon unleashed a powerful late run to win the 1 1/4-mile race and avenge an earlier loss to Inamorato, who encountered major traffic problems but rallied to finish third. Godolphin stablemate Songlark finished second and American hope Outta Here finished fourth under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Victory Moon became the first horse based in the Southern Hemisphere to win a race at the Dubai race meeting headlined by the $6 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest race. He rallied from far back over the dirt course at Nad Al Sheba, but got a clear run on the outside of the field and collared Songlark about a furlong from the finish. Victory Moon edged clear under jockey Wayne Smith over a "fast" track in 2:02.45.

Victory Moon, who was allowed to compete against 3-year-olds because he was bred on Southern Hemisphere time, had earlier won the UAE Two Thousand Guineas, but never threatened Inamorato when he suffered the first loss of his career in the 1 1/8-mile Al Bastikiya on March 8. After his upset UAE Derby win, trainer Mike De Cock indicated that Victory Moon could see much of the world in the remaining months of 2003.

"We had thought about Australia and going to Victoria for something like the Cox Plate," said De Cock. "Or we could take him to Europe in the summer. The ultimate aim will be to come back here next year for the World Cup."

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor indicated that the Kentucky Derby could be on the agenda for both Songlark and the unlucky Inamorato. The latter saved ground on the rail through most of the early running in the UAE Derby but found his path was blocked by fading horses in the stretch. Jockey Frankie Dettori swung Inamorato to the outside for clear running and rallied for third, but never posed a threat to the top pair.

"We caught about eight horses who all stopped together in front of me, so I had to stop riding and you can't do that on the dirt," said Dettori. "At least he has learned something today. He is still a nice horse."

Godolphin won the three previous UAE Derby runnings with China Visit (2000), Express Tour (2001) and Essence of Dubai (2002). (CORRECTION: The 3/28/03 Derby Update listed Street Cry as the winner of the 2001 UAE Derby. He finished second that year to Express Tour.

Central -- Stewards at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans have disqualified The Thoroughbred Corp's Kafwain from his runner-up finish in the Louisiana Derby (GII) and fined trainer Bob Baffert $1,000 after the colt tested positive for higher-than-allowed amounts of the drug clenbuterol.

Peace Rules won the $750,000 race on March 9 and the disqualification of Baffert's colt moved Lone Star Sky to the runner-up slot, Funny Cide to third, Defrere's Vixen to fourth and Badge of Silver to fifth in the official order of finish. Baffert, in a prepared statement released by Santa Anita, said he declined to appeal the ruling because further action would have prohibited Kafwain from running in next week's Santa Anita Derby (GI). Louisiana racing regulations prohibit any horse at the center of any rulings by stewards or the state's racing commission from competing until that case is resolved.

"The deal is, clenbuterol is legal in every state, but almost all of them have different levels on withdrawal times," Baffert said in the statement released by Santa Anita. "In this case, we did everything we could to comply with the rules, cutting off a week in advance, as our records show.

"We'll take our lumps on this," he said, "but we look forward to the day when the sport has uniform medication rules and uniform testing in every state."

West -- Lee and Ty Leatherman's Excessivepleasure displayed a surplus of courage and just enough stamina Sunday as the California invader rallied under jockey Pat Day to win the $500,000 WinStar Derby at New Mexico's Sunland Park.

The California-bred son of In Excess survived a withering speed duel with the Bob Baffert-trained Apalachian Thunder and then held off a late charge from the Baffert-trained Spensive to win by a neck under jockey Pat Day. Trainer Doug O'Neill's colt covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:42.84 after dueling through torrid fractions of 22.07, 44.30 and 1:08.49. Apalachian Thunder opened a two-length lead in the upper stretch and the late-charging Spensive also seemed poised to also move past Excessivepleasure, but the gelding dug in under Day and surged to his narrow victory.

"To be honest, I thought my horse relaxed good," said Day of Excessivepleasure. "He knew he was running too fast and he decided to give himself a breather. He took a big gasp and I thought he was done. But he was smarter than the rider."

O'Neill admitted that he was "upset" by the hot pace duel, but said Excessivepleasure found "another gear" in the run through the stretch. The trainer gave much of the credit to his Hall of Fame jockey.

"Putting Pat Day on your horse is a great move if you want him to relax a little," O'Neill said. "In Pat's defense, he did get him to relax just enough, and his calming effect gave him just enough to get to the wire."

Excessivepleasure improved his career record to 3-2-0 in five races and has now earned $443,000. His connections said they would consider a trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, but did not seem too enthused about trying to coax Excessivepleasure into winning at the Derby distance.

"I don't think he can go a mile and a quarter," O'Neill said. "But that's up to the Leathermans. It's their money."

Irving and Marjorie Cowan's homebred son of Deputy Minister turned in erratic homestretch runs in each of his last two races and Drysdale, who won the 2000 Kentucky Derby with Fusaichi Pegasus, hopes that the new equipment will make a difference on Saturday.

"The intention is to keep him focused," said Drysdale.

East -- Unbeaten Pennsylvania invader Sky Soldier romped through the mud to score a four-length victory in Saturday's $60,000 Private Terms Stakes at Maryland's Laurel Park and may have earned a trip to bigger things in doing so.

"If he steps up and does this again, then we will be looking at the Preakness," said trainer Todd Beattie, who makes Penn National Race Course his base. Sky Soldier won his two previous starts over that course.

Skycrossing and Moses Jerome followed Sky Soldier across the finish line in the five-horse field. Odds-on favorite Penobscot Bay was fourth.

Beattie said Sky Soldier would run next in the Coolmore Lexington (GII) at Keeneland.

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