Trainer Bob Baffert was released from a Dubai Hospital March 29, three days after suffering a heart attack following his arrival in the United Arab Emirates to manage his horses for the World Cup.
Baffert, 59, is expected to attend the races March 31 at Meydan Racecourse. He has two starters on the program, Game On Dude in the $10 million World Cup (UAE-I) and The Factor in the $2 million Golden Shaheen (UAE-I).
At 1:39 p.m. in Dubai, Baffert put out a statement on Twitter: "Just released from hospital. Going to my hotel and relax with my family. Glad to be out."
Earlier, he had joked in a tweet, "Need to win World Cup just to break even on medical bills."
Baffert was feeling ill after his arrival in Dubai and was rushed to the hospital March 26 at the insistence of his wife Jill. He had three stents inserted in two arteries and was removed from the hospital's intensive care unit the following day.
Among his visitors at the hospital was Sheikh Mohammed.
Baffert, a member of racing's United States Hall of Fame, has won the World Cup twice previously, with Silver Charm in 1998 and Captain Steve in 2001. Game On Dude, though starting from the far outside in the field of 14 international runners, is one of the favorites this year.
Oaklawn Park race caller Frank Mirahmadi suggested in a tweet that Baffert and his client Mike Pegram should reserve the names Don't Die in Dubai and Jillsavedmeindubai for future horses.
Bob Baffert
Anne M. Eberhardt