Country Grammer gives Bob Baffert a win in the $12-million Dubai World Cup

It doesn’t matter what occurs, it appears as if it’s unimaginable to maintain Bob Baffert out of the highlight. The Corridor of Fame coach gained the second richest race on the earth Saturday when Nation Grammer drove huge down the stretch to win the $12-million Dubai World Cup on the Meydan Racecourse within the United Arab Emirates. It was Baffert’s fourth win within the race.

Most had conceded the 1¼-mile race to Life Is Good, who was dominant in profitable each the Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile and the Pegasus World Cup in his final two begins. However the distance could have been an excessive amount of for the colt as he gave up the lead within the stretch and completed fourth. Sizzling Rod Charlie, educated by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Flavien Prat, was second by 1¾ lengths. Japanese horse Chuwa Wizard was third. Midnight Bourbon was fifth within the 10-horse race with all 4 U.S. horses ending within the prime 5.

The 5-year-old Nation Grammer is owned by Amr Zedan and WinStar Farm. Zedan was additionally the proprietor of disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, after the colt examined constructive for a medicine not authorized on race day. Medina Spirit died of what was regarded as a coronary heart assault in December whereas making ready to renew his racing profession.

Baffert is mired in lawsuits within the hopes of restoring Medina Spirit’s win and his personal capacity to race anyplace within the nation. He’s at present banned for 2 years by Churchill Downs and is going through a 90-day suspension in all jurisdictions. Baffert mentioned Thursday that he had moved 4 of his promising Kentucky Derby prospects to trainers Tim Yakteen and Rodolphe Brisset so they’d be eligible to achieve Derby qualifying factors.

With out talking particularly of the problems, Zedan provided up a spirited protection and tribute to Baffert in a tv interview in Dubai.

“That’s [the talent of] Bob Baffert proper there,” Zedan mentioned, pointing to his horse. “That’s what Bob Baffert is able to doing. … I’m so overwhelmed. What a tremendous feeling. … It’s been a tough 12 months however now we’re again. [Baffert is] the very best coach on the earth. The GOAT. … I’m simply so pleased, and pleased for my pal Bob.”

Nation Grammer didn’t have a straightforward path. He was initially educated by Chad Brown however was moved in a dispersal sale when his proprietor, Paul Pompa, died. The colt bought for $450,000 as a 2-year-old, however WinStar picked him up for $110,000 final 12 months. He was moved to Baffert’s barn, the place he ran second within the Californian Stakes earlier than profitable the Hollywood Gold Cup.

He was despatched to New York, the place he had an ankle harm, and went eight months between races earlier than ending a powerful second Feb. 28 within the $20-million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race.

“Who would use a $20-million race to prep for a $12-million race?” Baffert mentioned with amusing Saturday from Santa Anita. “That was a tricky race with Life Is Good and Sizzling Rod Charlie. A extremely sturdy discipline. The horse simply retains getting higher and higher. It’s all the time thrilling to win the Dubai World Cup, however I’d nonetheless wish to get a kind of Saudi Cups.”

Prat has been driving each Nation Grammer and Sizzling Rod Charlie and elected to go along with Sizzling Rod Charlie. World completed Italian rider Frankie Dettori picked up the mount on Nation Grammer, the primary time the jockey had ever ridden for Baffert.

“Frankie Dettori was wonderful,” Baffert mentioned. “I instructed him he needed to trip for me a minimum of as soon as earlier than I retire. He’s one of many biggest of all time. What an ideal workforce. It was magical.”

There isn’t a wagering in Dubai, however Nation Grammer paid $20.10 to win in worldwide betting swimming pools.

Louisiana Derby: Operating simply off the tempo for the primary two-thirds of the 1 3/16-mile race, heavy favourite Epicenter (4.00 to win) put issues in gear across the far flip to win the $1 million Louisiana Derby by 2 ½ lengths. The win provides Epicenter a spot within the Kentucky Derby on Might 7. Epicenter is educated by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Joel Rosario.

Zozos, who completed second, may even seemingly qualify. The Honest Grounds race kicks off a collection of 100-point qualifiers with every winner, and certain most second-place finishers, a beginning spot within the 20-horse race. Subsequent Saturday would be the Florida Derby at Gulfstream, Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn and Jeff Roby Steaks at Turfway. The Santa Anita Derby follows on April 9, together with the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and the Wooden Memorial at Aqueduct.