West Coast has workout, eyes Dubai World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – West Coast, the champion 3-year-old male of 2017, worked three furlongs in 36.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday, the start of preparation for a spring campaign that could include the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 31.

Sunday’s workout was the first major exercise for West Coast since a second-place finish to 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27.

“It was a little maintenance drill,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

West Coast is owned by Gary and Mary West. Baffert said he plans to talk race plans with Gary West in the coming days. Baffert said West Coast has received an invitation to the Dubai World Cup, a race the trainer has won three times, most recently last year with Arrogate.

Giant Expectations, the winner of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 but only ninth in the Pegasus World Cup, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Sunday. He is a candidate for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on March 10.

Baffert also worked the promising 3-year-old Restoring Hope a half-mile in 47.60. Restoring Hope won a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles by 3 1/2 lengths on Feb. 2. Baffert said the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 10 is a possible goal for Restoring Hope.

Selcourt, the winner of the Kalookan Queen Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths on Jan. 14, worked five furlongs in 1:00, the fastest of 71 works at the distance. Selcourt will be a leading choice in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs next Sunday.

Fault, the winner of the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park last August, worked six furlongs in 1:13.80, the fastest of 12 works at the distance. Fault recently joined trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable and will start in Saturday’s Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf for fillies and mares.