Bob Baffert is feeling calm and at ease in California as two of his horses zoom down the airstrip, ready to embark on their journey to Dubai. Newgate is headed for the prestigious $12 million Dubai World Cup, while Hopkins is set to compete in the esteemed G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Even though Baffert has achieved great success in the desert, winning four Dubai World Cups thus far, he will not be accompanying his horses on this trip.
“I love Dubai, I’d love to go but I’m shorthanded an assistant right now, so Jimmy [Barnes] is going, he’ll be there at the weekend, along with a rider and a groom.”
Frankie Dettori, who has previously teamed up with Baffert on Country Grammer and boasts three other Dubai World Cup victories, will be in the saddle for Newgate.
“The thing about Frankie Dettori is the great riders don’t need any instructions,” continues Baffert. “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. My job is to make sure that the horse shows up.”