Arrogate wins Dubai World Cup thriller
OVERWHELMING favourite Arrogate won the $10-million (R124-million) Dubai World Cup on Saturday, overcoming a poor start to become the sport’s biggest-earning horse, with $17-million (R211-million) to its name.
The Bob Baffert-trained colt with 51-yearold jockey Mike Smith in the saddle came home ahead of Gun Runner in second and Neolithic in third place.
Four-year-old Arrogate went into the race as the odds-on favourite after an impressive win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic but, after a slow start out of the stalls, Smith had to weave his way through the field.
Gun Runner was ahead at the turn but Smith and Arrogate stepped up their final push down the straight at Meydan as Baffert claimed a third win in the race.
Baffert admitted that he feared the worst for his horse after the sloppy start.
“That was ‘Plan F’,” Baffert said. “But that’s the best I’ve ever seen in my life, it’s unbelievable.
“I guess he knew where he was but it just goes to show you how great this horse is. Mike did a great job, he didn’t panic.”
Gun Runner battled hard to keep out Neolithic at the head of the chasing pack but the night belonged to Arrogate, who now has seven wins from eight starts.
Smith admitted he had been caught by surprise at the start.
“I missed the break completely because he’s used to having a man in the gate with him, but things happen for a reason,” he said.
“This horse can do anything, he can win in the lead, he can come from dead last, he hasn’t even taken a breath.
“I get a lot of the glory, but there’s a big team who deserve a lot of credit.” – AFP