2017 Travers Stakes winner West Coast is set to return to action later this month in the Dubai World Cup, where he is the bookmakers’ favourite to land the feature race of the carnival at Meydan in the UAE. The American horse is trained by Bob Baffert who won the 1m2f contest last year with Arrogate and will be bidding for his fourth success in the 2018 renewal.

West Coast last appeared in the richest race on the planet, the Pegasus World Cup, in January, where he chased home Gun Runner to finish second at Gulfstream Park. That was an improved performance from his appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2017, as he had to settle for third place on that occasion in California.

Baffert’s runner first established himself as one of the most exciting dirt horses in the States with his win in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga last August. The bay colt made all in New York in a dominant display against his rivals in his age group.

A second Grade One victory followed not long after for West Coast as he ran rampant in the Pennsylvania Derby. With former Dubai World Cup winning jockey Mike Smith on board, the pair broke away from the field with 400 metres to go to record a seven length victory at the finish.
As soon as connections announced Gun Runner was not going to travel across to the UAE for the Dubai World Cup, West Coast was cut into 15/8 in the horse racing betting for the dirt race at Meydan. A win in the 1m2f contest could see him rise up the rankings to the position as the number-one-rated dirt horse in the world.

Forever Unbridled Remains In Training For Dubai World Cup Shot

Six-year-old mare Forever Unbridled has remained in training in 2018, with the Dubai World Cup set to be her next assignment, where she will be travelling outside of the United States for the first time in her career.
Dallas Stewart’s runner was victorious in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last November in a thrilling finish to the race for fillies and mares. The oldest horse in the race was held up in the early stages of the contest by her rider John Velazquez. She made smooth headway with just 400 metres to go and soon hit the front, where she held on by half a length ahead of Abel Tasman.

Last year was a big season for Forever Unbridled as she also won the Grade One Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. In what is likely to be her last year on the track, connections will be hoping she can overcome the opposite sex at Meydan where she is second best in the latest betting at 8/1.

Thunder Snow To Lead European Contenders
Thunder Snow showcased his Dubai World Cup claims last month at Meydan, with victory at the racecourse in his final preparation run before the big race later this month. The former Prix Jean Prat winner is owned by Godolphin who have won the feature at the carnival on a record six different occasions.

This year’s Dubai World Cup takes place on March 31 on a night which also features the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Gold Cup.