Where Arrogate is back on the worktab and Gun Runner is knocking off top-level wins with his Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) triumph last weekend, Neolithic was sidelined after contracting a respiratory illness on his trip back from Dubai.
Grade 1 winner Gun Runner has been steadily training since returning from a runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) and is targeting the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs, Asmussen said May 1.
The Stronach Group announced April 5 plans to raise the purse of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) to $16 million for 2018, further enhancing its status as the world's richest Thoroughbred race.
Gun Runner lost the battle to Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup (G1), but connections of the son of Candy Ride are already planning for at least one rematch in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
In an interview with CNN Sport March 25 at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum stated his intention to raise the purse of the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).
Dubai World Cup, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Dubai Turf, Al Quoz Sprint, Happy Valley Vase, San Luis Rey, Bourbonette Oaks, Fear the Cowboy, Skip Away, Sunland Park Derby, Jack Cincinnati Casino Spiral, and more.
Arrogate’s big finish, career earnings are unprecedented
Arrogate is as great as each individual perceives him, and it has nothing to do with competition or longevity. Years from now, Arrogate's Hall of Fame plaque will be there among the others, and nowhere will it mention the quality of his competition.
Arrogate capped off a spectacular day of racing at the Dubai World Cup Festival with another unforgettable performance, overcoming a rough start to win the $10 million World Cup and become the richest North American racehorse in history!
It’s almost as if Arrogate has taken on the best qualities of different great horses in each of his four stakes victories.
Comments from trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith after Arrogate's victory in the Dubai World Cup. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Juddmonte Farms' Arrogate broke last, but rallied easily to win the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Jack Hobbs rallies in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1); Japanese filly Vivlos beats the boys in the Dubai Turf.
In the final strides of the 1,600-meter test, Jorge Navarro's mood turned for the worse as grade 2 winner Second Summer surged through on the inside to win by a neck while Sharp Azteca faded to third.
Along with the Dubai World Cup (G1) card, the stateside stakes slate includes a pair of Triple Crown preps at Turfway Park and Sunland Park.
For some reason, or combination of reasons, I never seem to do much good on Dubai World Cup Day, so even though they're running nine stakes worth a total of $30 million in the desert Saturday, I am again finding it difficult to come up with a plan.
Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), the Eclipse Award-winning broadcast organization based in Lexington, KY and official radio home of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup World Championships, announced Thursday, their day-long schedule for March 25.
Horses preparing for 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Decorated Knight (#11 Yellow), Trip to Paris (#8 Red), Sheikhzayedroad (#2 Red), and Jack Hobbs (#4 Green) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Mike Smith talks about Arrogate and the Dubai World Cup Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Spirit of Valor (#15 Pink), Washington DC (IRE) (#4 Black), Keen Ice (#8 White) and Quest for More (IRE) (#4 Red). Courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
Jockey Florent Geroux talks about Gun Runner and the anticipated showdown with Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Mind Your Biscuits (#2 Gold), Gun Runner (#2 White), Qatar Man (IRE) (#10 Pink), Vettori Kin (BRZ) (#3 Pink), Hoppertunity (#5 White), and Neolithic (#12 White). Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Trainer Bob Baffert talks about Arrogate and Hoppertunity, who run in the March 25 Dubai World Cup
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Awardee (#3 White), Lani (#14 White), Ribchester (IRE) (#1 Yellow), and Master Plan (#11 Pink). Courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Arrogate (#1 White) and Apollo Kentucky (#4 White) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
While he is firmly in Arrogate's shadow as the duo readies for their respective runs in the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), Hoppertunity's standing as Bob Baffert's resident bright spot is one that will not be usurped.
A pair of $6 million group I turf races play counterpoint to the group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline's main refrain on the March 25 World Cup card at Meydan.
Horses preparing for 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Neolithic (#12 White), Not Listenin'tome (#1 Gold), Heshem (#9 Yellow), Wild Dude (#13 Gold), Dundonnell (#9 Gold), Mondialiste (#10 Yellow), and Mubtaahij Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Richard's Boy (#12 Black), Triple Nine (#10 Blue), Adirato (#9 Pink), Gifted Master (#7 Blue), St Joe Bay (#8 Gold), Sharp Azteca (#1 Blue), and Keen Ice (#8 White) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
No one questions whether Gun Runner will show up in the Dubai World Cup. What he'll answer at Meydan Racecourse is whether his best is good enough to challenge the favorite Arrogate, who is so far without peer.
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Master Plan (#11 Pink), Sounds of Earth (#5 Green), Apollo Kentucky (#4 White), Amazing Kids (#2 Black), He Runs Away (#4 Pink) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for the 2017 Dubai World Cup Day, including Mind Your Biscuits (#2 Gold), Vivlos (#5 Yellow), Epicharis (#5 Pink), Awardee (#3 White), Lani (#14 White), Gold Dream (#7 White), and Kafuji Take (#2 Blue) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Judging his recent race form, trainer Jorge Navarro is declaring the current version of Sharp Azteca to be the best he has seen, a claim the dark bay runner will aim to back in the Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Meydan Sobha (G2) at Meydan Race Course.
Mind Your Biscuits, Stallwalkin' Dude and St. Joe Bay will carry the U.S. banner in the 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) dirt sprint, which pays $1.2 million to the winner.
Owner Jerry Crawford talks about Keen Ice and his preparations for the March 25 Dubai World Cup. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Saeed bin Suroor talks about Move Up, who runs in the March 25 Dubai World Cup, after the post position draw on March 22. Courtesy ClubGodolphin.com
The luck of draw was the latest obstacle to be cleared in Arrogate's favor, with the 4-year-old gray colt landing post 9 in a field of 14 for the March 25 Dubai World Cup.
Horses preparing for the 2017 World Cup Day, including Limato (#1 Black), Wall of Fire (#12 Red), Decorated Knight (#11 Yellow), Handassa (#4 Grey), Sheikhzayedroad (#2 Red), Big Orange (#3 Red), and Postponed (#1 Green). Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Starlight Racing has reached an agreement to sell a half interest in Dubai World Cup contender Neolithic to Qatar Racing, it was announced March 21.
For the last couple of years, French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre has left Meydan with at least one valuable prize in his pocket.
Horses preparing for the 2017 World Cup Day, Master Plan (#11 Pink), Heshem (#9 Yellow), Finsbury Square (#8 Black), Neolithic (#12 White), Cosmo Charlie (#8 Red), Top Score (#6 Red), and Mondialiste (#10 Yellow) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Horses preparing for the 2017 World Cup Day, including Stallwalkin' Dude (#4 Gold), Sharp Azteca (#1 Blue), Triple Nine (#10 Blue), and Long On Value (#7 Black) Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Footage of morning training at Meydan on March 20, 2017 in the days leading up to the Dubai World Cup. Courtesy of the Dubai Racing Club. Neolithic (#12 White), Hopportunity Bob Baffert (#5 White), and Keen Ice Todd Pletcher (#8 White)
A number of U.S.-based runners stepped out on the Meydan Racecourse track in preparation for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 25.
Interview with Bob Baffert on March 20 at Meydan in the days leading up to the Dubai World Cup. Courtesy of the Dubai Racing Club
Juddmonte Farms' Arrogate worked seven furlongs in 1:25 March 12 at Santa Anita Park in his final move before shipping to Dubai March 13 for the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner elicited the usual strong reviews for his final work before shipping for the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), covering six furlongs in 1:12 March 11.
With the Dubai World Cup preps concluded and the big night only a few weeks away, I thought I would get everyone in the mood by reprinting a feature my daughter Mandy wrote for Dubairacenight.com in 2010 about her experiences.
Neolithic, third last time out in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), will take another crack at Juddmonte Farms' champion Arrogate in the $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) March 25.
Juddmonte Farm's Arrogate worked seven furlongs in 1:24, with a gallop out to a mile in 1:38 at Santa Anita Park March 5 in preparation for his next start in the $10 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) March 25.
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