Silver Charm Rallies To Earn $2.4 Million

In a dramatic finish, Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm nosed out Dubai’s Swain to win the $4 million Dubai (United Arab Emirates) World Cup Saturday and double his career earnings.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, the 4-year-old earned the $2.4 million first prize with a courageous rally. Silver Charm’s previous earnings had totaled $2.2 million.

Silver Charm, the prohibitive favorite, first repulsed strong challenges from France’s Loup Sauvage and Malek, surprise winner of the Santa Anita Handicap.

Then, Swain came up and briefly grabbed the lead in the stretch. As the two pounded toward the finish line, Silver Charm fought back and barely edged in front.

At Florence, Ky., Turfway Park was dark and quiet on what should have been its busiest day of the year.

More than 20,000 people were expected for the $600,000 Jim Beam Stakes, the weekend’s top Kentucky Derby prep. But Turfway’s entire program had to be postponed until today when high winds toppled three poles that brought the main power line to the track.