Baffert and Smith confident Arrogate can storm home in desert

Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1) | 1m2f dirt | 3yo+ | ATR/RUK

Can anything touch Arrogate? The ratings say no, the betting says no and there has certainly been no sign this week that the world’s highest-rated horse can not reproduce the form that saw him end last year with a titanic Breeders’ Cup success over California Chrome.

He then started 2017 with a commanding victory in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup, which has knocked tonight’s contest off the pedestal as the planet’s richest race.

A colossus of a horse with a stride to match Usain Bolt, Arrogate has looked at ease in his new surroundings and, as the general 1-3 favourite, it would be a shock of Douvan proportions if he were to fail to complete a treble worth nearly £12 million.

“I’m blessed to have ridden some very good horses but I’m not sure I’ve ever sat on one like this,” said his jockey Mike Smith, having just his second ride in the race and searching a first win

“It’s his disposition and his mechanics – he feels like he’s running downhill. He needs to bring his A-game, but if he does I think you’ll see something special.”

Victory would give his class-act trainer Bob Baffert, who also runs last year’s third Hoppertunity, a third win in the race after Silver Charm and Captain Steve, but his first at Meydan.

Gun Runner looking to fire

It was nine years ago that Steve Asmussen landed the World Cup with Curlin and he is back on the desert’s biggest stage with Gun Runner.

The colt may have been beaten out of sight by Arrogate in the Grade 1 Travers last summer, but his profile has been progressive since and he made the breakthrough at the top level when scooping the Clark Handicap in November and was last seen in action comprehensively dominating Grade 3 at Oaklawn last month.

What they say

Christophe Lemaire, rider of Apollo Kentucky
When I rode him in Japan, my impression was that he's a very big and powerful horse. He's not a type of horse who jumps quickly from the gate and take a forward position, so I'll have to think about the strategy.

Joao Moreira, rider of Gold Dream
I’d say the distance will be stretching him, but he indicates he'll get it. He doesn't have that much gate speed, so I'll try to get him out quickly, but it'll be tough against the American horses.

Ron Winchell, owner of Gun Runner
He's doing absolutely fantastic and everyone is very happy with where we’re at. Clearly, he’s bigger and stronger and more of a filled-out racehorse than he was last year. The distance is always a worry in the back of your mind when they haven’t won yet at it, but there’s nothing that tells us, as a stronger and better horse, that he shouldn’t be able to get it.

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Move Up
Physically he looks well. He’s not faced the kickback in the past, so we’ll look to be handy. Being by Dubawi, he handles both grass and dirt. Arrogate will be tough to beat, but he’s improving all the time.

Bob Baffert, trainer of Arrogate and Hoppertunity
Both my horses are happy and healthy. It's very exciting to be here with two such good horses and it would be great if they could run first and second. The main thing for Arrogate is to get away well and then after that Mike Smith will decide what he’s going to do. I just hope he’s within striking distance turning for home. His weapon is his long stride and a mile and a quarter is nothing to him. The draw is good for Hoppertunity, he likes to be in the clear a little bit. He’s doing the best he’s ever done but he needs to.

Jerry Crawford, owner of Keen Ice
He does his best running late from the gates, so the draw in ten doesn’t make much difference. There’s a lot of speed near us so I think Javier [Castellano, jockey] will have a lot of choices. If he’s close enough when they turn for home he’s going to be tough to deal with for everyone, except maybe Arrogate.

Jack Wolf, owner of Neolithic
The horse has looked very good on the track and I can't complain about stall 11. Keen Ice is directly inside and he probably won't be quick away from there. Directly inside him is Arrogate, so we'll know where he is immediately.

Maria Ritchie, trainer of Special Fighter
Being out in stall 13 isn’t ideal and I just hope we don’t get trapped three wide. It’s not an easy draw as he usually races close to the pace and I just have to leave it to the jockey now.

Mike de Kock, trainer of Mubtaahij
Ideally we would have had two runs, as we did last year, but we ran out of time a bit so ran him a month ago instead of Super Saturday. He’s in great shape ahead of what looks another strong renewal. Arrogate is clearly world-class and going to be tough to beat, but at least we're proven under these conditions.