Dubai World Cup: Bob Baffert says top-rated Arrogate will arrive at Meydan ready to run

Bob Baffert revealed that Arrogate will do little real work when he arrives at Meydan in the next few days ahead of his bid to win the $US10 million Dubai World Cup next Saturday.

Arrogate os ridden by Mike Smith to win The Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park Race Course on January 28, 2017 in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Alex Evers / Getty Images
Powered by automated translation

Bob Baffert revealed that Arrogate will do little real work when he arrives at Meydan in the next few days ahead of his bid to win the $US10 million Dubai World Cup next Saturday.

Arrogate completed his preparation for the Emirates-sponsored $10 million race on Sunday with a workout under Martin Garcia over 1,400 metres on a deep track in 1m.25s.

The world’s highest-rated horse was set to depart his Californian base on Monday evening alongside stable companion and fellow World Cup hopeful Hoppertunity, who was third at Meydan 12 months ago.

The 64-year-old trainer suggested that Arrogate was virtually ready to run and that the most the roan son of Unbridled’s Song will do is a breeze or two at Meydan.

He cited the distance from the international stables to the racecourse proper, which is over a mile, as a significant factor. Horses in America are usually stabled on the racecourse.

“You’ve got to be really cautious, and you have to watch your horse every day,” the trainer told TVG. “The heat is a factor. It is long way to the track, they are not used to walking that far. We won’t do a lot with him. We’ll go easy with him.”

Baffert has saddled two Dubai World Cup winners in Silver Charm in 1998 and Captain Steve in 2001. His most recent success on the most valuable night in racing was when Secret Circle scooped the Dubai Golden Shaheen two seasons ago.

Arrogate travels to Dubai not only rated as the world’s best racehorse, but he is also set to become the highest-rated horse to ever contest the showpiece event in the UAE.

Arrogate is currently rated 134, and Postponed, who remains the favourite for the Dubai Sheema Classic despite his defeat at Super Saturday in the Dubai City Of Gold, is the next highest-rated horse on March 25 at 124.

Arrogate spearheads a formidable team from America in the World Cup that could number six, and fellow US challenger Gun Runner arrived in Florida on Sunday and will depart for Dubai on Tuesday after passing quarantine.

Gun Runner, trained by Steve Asmussen who won the 2008 World Cup with Curlin, won the Grade 1 Clark Handicap in November and followed that win up with victory in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport