DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – In American racing, they call an honest horse who grinds his way start after start into regular purse earnings without ever dominating his competition a “check-getter.” Hoppertunity is a check-getter on about the grandest scale imaginable.

“He’s made $4 million nickel and diming,” said trainer Bob Baffert.

There are big checks to he handed out after Saturday night’s races at Meydan in Dubai. Hoppertunity got one of those last year when he finished third in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, and he is back for another try this year.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Arrogate will break from post 9 on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse when he tries to add the $10 million Dubai World Cup to consecutive wins in the Travers Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and, most recently, the $12 million Pegasus World Cup.

“I didn’t want the 1 or the 14,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “Nine is fine.”

The Japanese horse Apollo Kentucky drew the rail, while Mubtaahij, who was second in the 2016 World Cup, must cope with post 14. Gun Runner, who would look a major threat in this race without Arrogate, drew well in post 5.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Owner Starlight Racing has sold a half-interest in Neolithic days before the horse starts in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, according to a news release from Starlight.

Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing has agreed to purchase a half-share of Neolithic from Starlight, and the horse will run in Quatar Racing’s silks on Saturday night at Meydan. The release said Neolithic will return to the U.S. following his start here in Dubai and will continue to be trained by Todd Pletcher.

Brett Davis - Selections

R1 - 6-2-5-1
R2 - 4-6-3-11
R3 - 4-9-7-6
R4 - 6-3-8-7
R5 - 1-8-12-2
R6 - 10-4-9-3
R7 - 9-2-4-7
R8 - 5-12-2-8

Best - R1 N6 King Winsa
2nd Best - R7 N9 Marvel Hero
Longshot - R3 N4 Golden Chopsticks
Best Play - R3 Q/QP 4,7,9

Paul Lally:

R1 1-2-4-5
R2 6-11-4-1
R3 4-1-7-2
R4 6-7-5-1
R5 8-4-2-12
R6 3-6-5-10
R7 2-4-9-1
R8 2-12-4-5

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Trainer Luis Carvajal confirmed Tuesday that Imperial Hint has been scratched from the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup card Saturday. High On Life has taken his spot in the race, which has a full field of 14 with post positions to be drawn Wednesday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Arrogate worked about a half-mile Monday at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai while preparing for the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night.

Trainer Bob Baffert arrived here Sunday night, got to the quarantine barn at about 4:30 a.m. Monday, and watched Arrogate go through his paces on a warm, windy morning at about 5. There is no official clocker at Meydan. Baffert said he timed Arrogate from the quarter pole to the finish in 25 seconds, and that Arrogate probably had worked a half-mile in about 50 seconds.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Sharp Azteca, the lone American runner in the race and the likely favorite, landed post 6 for the $1 million Godolphin Mile when post positions were drawn Monday for the non-Grade 1 races on the World Cup program.

Jorge Navarro trains Sharp Azteca and has come to Dubai for the second year in a row, having sent X Y Jet to a slightly disappointing second-place finish last year in the Golden Shaheen. Navarro said Sharp Azteca had worked the easiest of half-miles Monday in about 55 seconds.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Grade 3 General George winner Imperial Hint’s status for the $2 million Golden Shaheen was in doubt Monday after the horse spiked a fever upon arrival in Dubai last week.

Trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. said Imperial Hint ran a temperature for only one day upon his arrival but appears not to have fully shaken whatever bug hit him.

“He looks really good and is eating good,” Carvajal said Monday. “He has no fever, but his blood shows something abnormal. If his blood is not 100 percent, I will not run. We always put the health of the horse first.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – There were no surprises Monday when final entries for the $10 million Dubai World Cup were released by the Dubai Racing Club, with 13 challengers set to take on Arrogate, the horse considered the best in the world right now.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, March 19, 2017)

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Brett Davis - Selections

Race 1: 2-12-1-11

Race 2: 4-3-1-13

Race 3: 7-2-3-6

Race 4: 1-3-5-7

Race 5: 7-11-5-12

Race 6: 4-3-6-13

Race 7: 10-2-5-12

Race 8: 1-3-4-8

Race 9: 3-12-5-2

Race 10: 10-1-13-2

Best Bet - Race 6: #4 City Legend     

Longshot - Race 4: #7 Sichuan Chief