Country Grammer tops Baffert's team for Dubai Word Cup card

Trainer Bob Baffert has three candidates for the major stakes on the Dubai World Cup program at Meydan Racecourse on March 25.

Country Grammer, who won last year’s Dubai World Cup and was second in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 25, will attempt to join Thunder Snow (2018-2019) as the only two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup. First run in 1996, the Dubai World Cup is run at 1 1/4 miles and has a purse of $12 million.

Baffert plans to run Worcester in the Group 2 United Arab Emirates Derby at 1 3/16 miles, and Hopkins in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint at six furlongs.

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports.

Worcester, a maiden after three starts, was third in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 4, finishing two lengths behind winning stablemate Newgate.

Hopkins won the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Feb. 5.

Taiba, who finished eighth in the Saudi Cup, and Havnameltdown, second by a head in the Group 2 Saudi Derby on Feb. 25, are in quarantine in Chicago and scheduled to return to California on Tuesday, Baffert said.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.