Dullahan trainer Dale Romans expected a good showing from the American horses, considering their pedigree.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

Trainer Bill Mott has returned with two-time Eclipse winner Royal Delta, and Pacific Classic winner Dullahan is entered.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

Jockey Gary Stevens will ride Dullahan just months after coming out of retirement.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

"My favorite jockey of all time, " said Romans, who has Dullahan in the Dubai World Cup, as he chatted with Douglas.

WSJ: Paralyzed jockey Douglas now successful owner

Animal Kingdom and Dullahan are being talked about as favorites mainly due to their versatility and success on all-weather and synthetic surfaces.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

After being passed by I'll Have Another deep in the stretch, Bodemeister hung on for second, finishing a neck ahead of the fast-closing Dullahan.

WSJ: I'll Have Another Wins Kentucky Derby

"You have the Kentucky Derby winner, three Breeders' Cup winners, Dullahan is a three-time graded winner and won one of our more prestigious races, the Pacific Classic, " he said.

WSJ: Americans eye win at world's richest horse race

Dullahan leaves from the No. 3 post.

WSJ: 13 horses running in world's richest horse race

Jerry Crawford, managing partner of Donegal Racing which owns Dullahan, said he was fine with the post position for his horse who ran third in last year's Kentucky Derby and then beat Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic.

WSJ: 13 horses running in world's richest horse race

Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Derby winner, and two-time Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner Royal Delta, along with Dullahan, will attempt to give American-based horses their first World Cup win since 2010, when the track was changed from dirt to a synthetic surface.

WSJ: 13 horses running in world's richest horse race