Arrogate thrills in Dubai World Cup Victory

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Arrogate continued his work towards being the best horse in racing history with a last to first win Saturday in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

The star colt broke slowly and was then squeezed by other horses back into last place in just a few jumps from the starting gate.

However, jockey Mike Smith again proved why is a Hall of Fame rider as he regrouped his mount, went on the outside, and was soon enough picking off horses down the backstretch.

Arrogate finally caught the pace setting Gun Runner with about 200 meters to go, and Smith urged the big colt home to an incredible clear 2 1/4 length victory after a disastrous trip.

Smith was quoted as saying he had so much confidence in his horse, that he rode Arrogate to victory just like he would with legendary filly Zenyatta.

The $6 million purse propelled the 4-year-old colt to become the highest earning horse in North American history at more than $17 million.

U.S. horses swept the top three spots in the World Cup, with Gun Runner second and Neolithic third. There is no on-track wagering at Meydan. 

Trainer Bob Baffert has not said what race he is pointing his star colt to next, but the Pacific Classic and the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar are both reportedly on the radar. 

Mastery brillant, injured in San Felipe

Arcadia, CA

Trainer Bob Baffert looked to have yet another star blossoming in his barn Saturday afternoon after Mastery dominated the Grade II San Felipe Stakes.

The 3-year-old colt ran the field off their feet and cruised to a 6 3/4 length victory under jockey Mike Smith.

Mastery made quick work of the seven runners, striking the front easily from the bell and never looked back through impressive fractions of :46 and 1:10 for the 1 1/16 mile race.

Smith appeared to have the graded stakes winner geared down across the finish line, but then pulled him up on the gallop-out. 

Mastery had to be vanned off the track by an ambulance after the gallop and was later diagnosed with a fracture in his left front leg.

Baffert said the colt is expected to survive the injury, but sadly does end Kentucky Derby hopes for the winner.

lliad was no match in second place, but did give an impressive effort while making his two-turn debut.

While Term of Art rounded out the trifecta and Gormley turned in a disappointing effort finishing a very distant fourth.

Maserty was the race favorite and returned $3.60 to win and finished the race in a nice final time of 1:42.

After the race Baffert continued to say he was "shocked" by the injury, but did say he will have updates on the status of his young colt.

Gunnevera Finds fountain of youth

Hallandale Beach, FL

The Road to the Kentucky Derby found its way back to South Florida with the $400,00 Fountain of Youth Stakes.

The 2017 edition called to post a full field of ten runners, with the third race favorite Gunnevera leaving little doubt as who was best on Saturday.

The son of Dialed In swallowed up the leaders down the stretch and kicked clear to a convincing 5 3/4 length victory.

Gunnevera made up 13 lengths en route to the win, after being last at first call behind the pace setting Three Rules. 

Jockey Javier Castellano said the colt did it "very easy" in the Fountain of Youth and trainer Antonio Sano was all smiles after the race on the Gulfstream Park broadcast.

Practical Joke, first three-year-old start, also made up good ground and finished second after taking over the lead from the pace setters. Leaving Three Rules rounding out the trifecta.

Three Rules showed heart, battling back when confronted, but this race was all for the closers. 

Gunnevera returned $10.40 to win and ran the 1 1/16 race in a standard time of 1:44.

Race favorite Irish War Car ended up an also ran Saturday, finishing a distant seventh with no legit excuse according to his connections.

Trainer Sano said the next start for his Kentucky Derby bound colt will be the $1 million Florida Derby in April.

Girvin proves best in Risen Star

New Orleans, LA

A full field of twelve lined up for the $400K Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday when Girvin stamped himself a Kentucky Derby contender. 

Girvin kept to task impressively to score in the Grade II event after brushing the starting gate.

The 3-year-old colt continued his excellent work of not finishing out of the exacta in his career, while moving to the top of the Kentucky Derby point system with the win.

Trained by Joe Sharp and ridden to victory by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. Girvin got the inside trip to grind out a win for the connections. 

The Risen Star final time came back a slow 1:43 for the 1 1/16 mile distance, but grind-it-out wins are an important part on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.  

Girvin returned $18.20 to win and finished a solid two lengths in front of Untrapped, with pacesetter Local Hero weakening to third.

Untrapped raced wide throughout the race, but ran on to complete the exacta. While the quick Local Hero weakened to third, after clearing the field on the backstretch.

Jockey Florent Geroux said Hero was a little too keen in today's race, but should improve after running a little immature. 

Girvin showed promise that he continues to have upside and Sharp said his colt will be pointed to the $1M Louisiana Derby on April 1.

One Liner powers home in Southwest

Hot Springs, AR

Trainer Todd Pletcher has another legitimate Kentucky Derby contender with One Liner.

The 3-year-old colt showed a powerful stretch running kick to take the Southwest Stakes Saturday at Oaklawn Park by 3 1/2 lengths. 

One Liner sat fourth, behind the heavy favorite Uncontested, through quick opening fractions for the distance of :22 and :46 before taking over the lead for good down the stretch.

The son of Into Mischief ran the 1 1/8 mile race in a solid final time of 1:41 for jockey John Velazquez and returned $8.80 for the win.

Second place finisher Petrov had a perfect trip, also sitting behind Contested, but could not match strides of the winner once finding himself at the front.

Lookin At Lee completed the trifecta with a belated bid for third after encountering trouble earlier in the race. He has the pedigree to get the route game, but was no threat to the top two.

The even-money favorite Uncontested weakened to sixth after setting those quick opening fractions. 

Pletcher said he was pleased with One Liner's run and said anything is on the table for his next race.