Arrogate takes aim at Dubai WC
Baffert enters two in hopes of 3rd win in $10 million race
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES >> Having taken over the mantle as the world’s best racehorse from California Chrome, Arrogate will attempt on Saturday to wear another crown that last fitted his illustrious American compatriot, the Dubai World Cup.
All eyes are on the fouryear-old Arrogate, who lost on debut 11 months ago but hasn’t lost since.
He’s won the Travers Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2016 and the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup this year to stretch his unbeaten streak to six. In his last two races, Arrogate defeated Chrome, who won the Dubai World Cup last year at Meydan Racecourse by five lengths despite jockey Victor Espinoza hanging on to a loose saddle for most of it.
Under jockey Mike Smith, Arrogate has forged a winning combination in his last three Grade 1 races: Travers Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Pegasus World Cup.
In Dubai, they have drawn stall nine among 14 contenders, a position which fails to douse the confidence of his trainer Bob Baffert.
“Nine is fine,” said Baffert, who also trained 2015 U. S. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
“He’s settled in pretty well. As long as he shows up, that’s the key. If he runs his race, we know what he can do.”
Smith was all praise for his mount, ranked the No. 1 racehorse in the world.
“I have been blessed with some really, really good horses, but I am not sure I have ever sit on one like this,” Smith said.
“Everything about him, his disposition, his mechanics, the way he gets over the ground ... at times you feel as if you are running downhill instead of a level ground. What amazes me most is when the race is over, it looks as if he did not put much effort into it. His recovery time is so quick.”
Arrogate’s Breeders’ Cup Classic and Pegasus World
Cup wins came over 2,000 meters on dirt, the same distance and conditions as the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Baffert hopes Arrogate can give him a third Dubai World Cup victory after Silver Charm (1998) and Captain Steve (2001).
He suffered a heart attack during his last visit to Dubai in 2012, and watched the World Cup five nights later with stents in two of his blocked arteries. He also watched from even farther afield last year as his other horse, Hoppertunity, finished third behind Chrome
and Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij.
“Both my horses are happy and healthy,” Baffert said. “He ( Hoppertunity) should be collecting a check again. That is what he does, picks up the pieces in these big races. He reminds me of Pac-Man, he just keeps going. A Dubai World Cup 1-2, that would be something.”
Mubtaahij is also back, although he will start under Christophe Soumillon from the widest of stalls.
“Like everyone, we wanted low,” the Belgian jockey said. “I will have to ... hope for some luck.”
The Dubai World Cup features a nine-race card offering $30 million across six Group 1 and three Group 2 races on turf and dirt.