Silver Charm, the defending champion, drew post No. 3 and the favorite's role yesterday in the $5 million Dubai World Cup on Sunday at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Despite two consecutive third-place finishes in Florida and California, Silver Charm was dubbed the early 2-1 favorite by a British bookmaker. The 5-2 second-choice is Victory Gallop, who drew post No. 4.

Eight horses will contest the 1 1/4-mile race under the lights and compete for the world's largest purse. Post time in Dubai will be 8: 15 p.m., or 11: 15 a.m. in Maryland.

Tomorrow, Laurel Park, Pimlico, Rosecroft Raceway and the state's OTBs will accept advance wagering on the race. On Sunday, the mutuel machines at the three racetracks will open about 9: 40 a.m. for an early card from Suffolk Downs beginning at 10 a.m., and the four races from Dubai. Check with your local OTB for its Sunday schedule.

Before yesterday's post-position draw, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum of Dubai's ruling family and James Bassett III, chairman of World Series Racing Championship, announced the creation of the first world series of horse racing.

Sponsored by Emirates Airline, the Emirates World Series Racing Championships will consist of nine races in eight countries beginning July 24 with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in Ascot, England, and concluding March 25 or 26, 2000, with the Dubai World Cup.

Other races are the Irish Champion Stakes, Sept. 11; Canadian International Stakes, Oct. 17; Cox Plate, Oct. 23 in Australia; Breeders' Cup Turf and Breeders' Cup Classic, Nov. 6 at Gulfstream Park; Japan Cup, Nov. 28, and the Hong Kong International Cup, Dec. 12.

In the Dubai World Cup, Silver Charm will seek to become the first back-to-back winner. Cigar won the inaugural running in 1996, and Singspiel prevailed in 1997.

Elliott Walden, trainer of Victory Gallop, and Bob Baffert, trainer of Silver Charm, say their horses are primed for top efforts. Richard Mandella, trainer of Malek, the other U.S.-based horse in the race (he finished fourth last year), said Silver Charm "looks better than he did at home."

Of the other five entrants, four are based in Dubai: High Rise, winner of the 1998 Epsom Derby; Central Park, winner of the 1998 Italian Derby; Daylami, winner of 1998 Grade I and Group I races; and Almutawakel, winner of a 1998 Group I stakes in France.

Running Stag is based in England.

Dubai World Cup field

PP, Horse ---------- Jockey ---------- ----- Odds*

1, High Rise --------- Frankie Dettori ------- 11-4

2, Central Park ----- Daragh O'Donohoe -- 16-1

3, Silver Charm ---- Gary Stevens ----------- 2-1

4, Victory Gallop -- Jerry Bailey -------------- 5-2

5, Daylami ---------- John Velazquez -------- 7-1

6, Almutawakel --- Richard Hills ------------- 14-1

7, Malek ------------- Alex Solis ------------------ 12-1

8, Running Stag -- Ray Cochrane ----------- 40-1 *

Odds courtesy of British bookmaker William Hill.

Pub Date: 3/26/99