The $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) is March 30 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is for 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles on dirt. usracing.com is publishing profiles of the contenders. 

NEWGATE

His Santa Anita Handicap G1) victory has Bob Baffert thinking a refreshed Newgate has a chance to give the trainer a fifth victory in the Dubai World Cup.

“It’s a challenge and I love challenges, but if you have a good horse and he’s ready, you can win it,’’ Baffert said.

The 4-year-old missed nearly a year of racing after winning the 2023 Robert B. Lewis but seems to be rebounding well after running second twice, in an allowance optional claimer and the San Pasqual Stakes, before closing strong and winning the ‘Big Cap by a head over Subsanador on March 3.

The win at 1 ¼-miles followed by a blazing 5-furlong work in 58.20 at Santa Anita on March 16 was all Baffert needed to see before deciding to send Newgate on the 8,000-mile trip to Dubai.

Taking on the likes of Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador and Japan’s top duo of Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake might be asking too much, but Baffert has fared well in Dubai.

Of the 12 starters he’s sent out in the Dubai World Cup, he’s won four times, with one second, and two thirds.

While Baffert won’t be in Dubai – his top assistant Jimmy Barnes will be there – he believes Newgate is set to compete against some of the best horses in the world.

“With Newgate I know I’m kind of back a little quick, but he’s a really hardy horse who carries a lot of flesh,” Baffert said. “He’s doing better now than he was going into the Big Cap when he was a little heavy. I really think he’s doing well.”

Another plus is Frankie Dettori will be aboard again after piloting Newgate in the ‘Big Cap on March 3.

“The thing about Frankie Dettori is the great riders don’t need any instructions,” Baffert said of the international star who rode Baffert-trained Country Grammer to victory in the 2022 Dubai World Cup. “When the gate opens, they figure it out. The last thing on my mind is worrying about Frankie and what he’s going to do on the horse.”

Betting advice: May be short on wins (3-for-9), but also has four seconds, and with Baffert as trainer, Dettori as rider, a smooth trip could be a winning one.

NEWGATE (Into Mischief) completed a perfect 5/8ths drill under @hutagomez_gomez this morning in preparation for the $12m Dubai World Cup 🇦🇪 on Saturday. #DWC24 @BobBaffert pic.twitter.com/DKCL9nFYf3

— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) March 25, 2024

Post position: 6

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan

Age: 4

Career record: 9-3-4-0

Career earnings: $535,775

Most recent race: Santa Anita Handicap, March 3, (1^st)

Top Equibase speed figure: 111

Pedigree: Into Mischief-Majestic Presence, by Majestic Warrior

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notes: After winning Robert B. Lewis in 2023, colt was diagnosed with a minor foot injury, knocking him off the Triple Crown trail with nearly a year to get back into racing shape … Baffert’s Dubai World Cup winners are Silver Charm (1998), Captain Steve (2001), Arrogate (2017), and Country Grammer (2022) … Dettori has four wins in the race, too: Country Grammer and three for Godolphin — Dubai Millennium (2002), Moon Ballad (2003), and Electrocutionist (2006).