Ertijaal, one of the leading Dubai-based turf sprinters, will miss the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint on Saturday night, reportedly because of a stress fracture in his pelvis. Ertijaal is a five-furlong specialist and the Al Quoz was lengthened last year to six furlongs, but if Ertijaal was questionable to stay, he was nearly certain to show his ample speed. His defection is good news for the American horse Conquest Tsunami, who is absolutely going to the front, according to trainer Peter Miller.

Also scratched Wednesday before post positions were drawn was Muarrab, who was entered Monday for the Golden Shaheen. Muarrab won the Golden Shaheen in 2016 by a neck over X Y Jet, but was 14th in the 2017 edition and didn't look like a major player Saturday. He was reportedly lame this week and therefore unable to compete.

Ali al Rayhi trains both Ertijaal and Muarrab.