The Dubai World Cup meeting will feature a sports star with a different kind of home run. Former Major League Baseball icon Victor Martínez, a five-time MLB All-Star, will see his G2 Godolphin Mile (sponsored by Emaar) contender LITTLE VIC compete at Meydan. Martínez, who turned to horse racing after retiring in 2018, acquired the Practical Joke colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $50,000. His investment has paid off, with LITTLE VIC earning $566,010 to date.
Despite his success, the Venezuelan humbly credits his trainer, Juan Carlos Avila, for identifying the talented colt. “I don’t know anything about horses, so Juan Carlos picks them out. We really got lucky with LITTLE VIC,” Martínez admits. The horse has been a standout for his stable, alongside 2020 G2 Tampa Bay Derby winner King Guillermo, who was Kentucky Derby-bound before a fever forced him to scratch two days before the race.
LITTLE VIC has shown consistent form, clinching his latest victory in the G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes at Gulfstream Park over 1600 meters—the same distance as the Godolphin Mile. “Juan Carlos told me that LITTLE VIC was asking for more distance,” Martínez shares. “He stepped up to seven furlongs last year in the G3 Mr Prospector Stakes, finishing strong despite a slow start. He faced top horses like Mufasa and White Abarrio and did well. His last race at a mile was fantastic, so when we got the invitation, we were extremely happy to give it a try.”
Avila will make his Dubai debut as a trainer, while Martínez and his wife, Margaret, will be in attendance, hoping LITTLE VIC delivers a winning performance on the world stage.
