Arrogate, seen here winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) leads 168 horses nominated to the $10 million Dubai World Cup. (Photo by Bob Mayberger/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup)
Arrogate, winner of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) leads 168 horses nominated for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan Race Course on March 25.
The Bob Baffert trainee has won six of his seven career starts and has already earned $11,084,600, which includes taking last year’s Travers (G1) in his stakes debut and then running down 2016 Horse of the Year California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Baffert is seeking his third win in what was the world’s richest race until the inaugural running of the Pegasus this year. Baffert saddled winners Silver Charm (1998) and Captain Steve (2001).
While California Chrome was named Horse of the Year in the U.S., Arrogate was crowned Longines World’s Best Racehorse in 2016 in London last month.
Arrogate is the current favorite in early wagering at US Racing for the Dubai World Cup at +135.
For the most realistic virtual sports betting including non-stop horse racing action.
Hoppertunity, last year’s third place finisher in the race was also nominated by Baffert. The six-year-old was fourth in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, fourth in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs, and started off his 2017 campaign by winning the San Antonio (G2) at Santa Anita in his last outing.
The late running son of Any Given Saturday went over $4 million in earnings with his win in the San Antonio and is currently listed at 16-1 in early wagering at US Racing.
Last year’s Dubai World Cup runner up Mubtaahij was nominated by his trainer Michael De Kock. He spent the second half of 2016 in the care of Kiran McLaughlin, running third in the Suburban (G2), second in the Woodward (G1) and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
He is listed at 16-1 in ealry betting at US Racing.
Last year’s UAE Derby (G2) winner Lani will be back looking for the big prize. Trained by Mikio Matsunaga, he seeks to become the first horse to win the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup in back to back years.
Dortmund is nominated and may make the trip for his new trainer Art Sherman. The five-year-old was previously trained by Baffert. His last start was a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as the beaten favorite.
The son of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, he has won eight of his 14 career starts, his biggest win coming in the 2015 Santa Anita Derby (G1). His current betting odds are 11-1.
Among the other stars that likely will ship to Dubai for the big night of racing is the brilliant mare Tepin, nominated to the Dubai Turf (G1) and Postponed likely will be back to defend his title in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).
Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle has nominated a strong team including Group 1 winning filly Seventh Heaven for the Dubai Sheema Classic and Highland Reel, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and runner-up in the Hong Kong Vase (G1). He was nominated for both the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai World Cup.
Dubai Racing Club received 1,549 nominations for 779 horses from 22 countries for the 2017 Dubai World Cup day. Last year the event received 1,572 nominations from 709 horses from 20 countries at the same stage.
