Baffert sending Newgate to Dubai World Cup, Hopkins to Golden Shaheen

ARCADIA, Calif. - Newgate, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 3, and Hopkins, second by a nose in a thrilling running of the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes on Feb. 10, are bound for world-class stakes at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on March 30, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed on Sunday.

Newgate will start in the $12 million Dubai World Cup at 1 1/4 miles, a race Baffert has won four times. Newgate has won 3 of 9 starts. The Big Cap was the 4-year-old colt’s most prestigious win and first career start at 1 1/4 miles.

Hopkins was fourth by a length in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at six furlongs in Dubai last March and has the same race as a goal this month, Baffert said. The Golden Shaheen has a purse of $2 million.

In the Palos Verdes at six furlongs, Hopkins set the pace and was narrowly beaten by Big City Lights.

The 5-year-old Big City Lights worked a half-mile on March 1, but trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday that he has “backed off” the daily training of the horse in recent days.

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