ARCADIA, Calif.- Hoppertunity finished third behind California Chrome in Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

Being behind California Chrome is a familiar position for Hoppertunity.

The 5-year-old Hoppertunity has been chasing California Chrome for the last two years. They were first and second in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in 2014; second and third behind Shared Belief in the San Antonio in February 2015; and first and third in the San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 9.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Has anyone asked Victor Espinoza about bringing about world peace, ending hunger, turning lead into gold?

Muarrab, a fixture at Dubai tracks in recent years, scored a mild upset to edge the star Florida sprinter X Y Jet in Saturday’s $2 million Golden Shaheen Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The result was only decided in the final strides.

Muarrab, who paid $15.80 in American pools, finished a neck in front of X Y Jet after the two fought through the stretch together. A patient ride from jockey Paul Hanagan was arguably the difference.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Lani became the first Japanese horse to win the Group 2, $2 million UAE Derby and for his next trick will try to become the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Marathon races come naturally for Vazirabad.

On Saturday in the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse, Vazirabad extended his winning streak to six races with a hard-fought win in the Group 2 race at two miles. The Dubai Gold Cup was Vazirabad’s first start outside of France and the longest race of his career.

The 4-year-old gelding overcame a troubled flight from France earlier in the week and a slow start to win the richest race of his eight-race career.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Doug Watson walked out of the Meydan winner’s circle after the Godolphin Mile, did a quick local TV hit, then whirled, slightly flustered, looking for assistance. He spotted John Ferguson of Godolphin, walked up to him, and said, “John, who do I talk to? I’ve never won one of these things!”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – X Y Jet once was a wild horse, unruly and difficult to handle, but he has focused that energy into being a racehorse, channeling his inner demons into brilliant speed on the track. And now X Y Jet looks poised to become the latest American-based winner of the $2 million Golden Shaheen on the World Cup card here Saturday night.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Girl power could hold sway in the $1 million UAE Derby, where the 3-year-old filly Polar River will be heavily favored and the main chance at an upset comes from another filly, the Argentine-bred Vale Dori. One filly has won this race, Khawlah in 2011.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Godolphin from the front or Godolphin from behind?

That could prove the pivotal question Saturday in the $6 million Dubai Turf, in which Godolphin horses could be racing first and last in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile grass race.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Only nine horses are entered in the $6 million Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday. Divide them by three to get to the Sheema’s heart: Postponed, Highland Reel, and Duramente.

Postponed won the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last year, while Highland Reel captured the Secretariat at Arlington last summer and the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase in December. Duramente’s peak came last May when he beat 17 rivals to win the Japanese Derby.