Stakes Tracker: Who’s targeting the 2018 Dubai World Cup?

A bit more than a week out from the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup, it seems as if the field of 12 is set for the world’s richest race. But what about the event that formerly held that distinction?

A handful of American horses have already been connected to the March 31 Dubai World Cup at Meydan, with at least two — Bob Baffert-trained Hoppertunity and Mubtahij — certain to run if they stay healthy.

“That’s the goal,” Baffert recently told The Blood-Horse.

Both horses have run in the Dubai World Cup before, with their best finishes second (Mubtaahij) and third (Hoppertunity) in the 2016 running won by California Chrome. Mubtaahij also won the Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan in 2015 before running in the Kentucky Derby next out.

Baffert told The Blood-Horse he’s unsure whether the horses will run again before the World Cup. For others mentioned as possibilities, another race seems certain for each.

• Dubai Racing Club notes last week noted that Grade 1 Clark Handicap winner Seeking the Soul’s connections “may have Dubai on the mind with a good performance” in the Pegasus. Trainer Dallas Stewart indicated interest in the race.

• Trainer Jorge Navarro mentioned that both Sharp Azteca and War Story — also Pegasus runners — could have opted to run in the Dubai World Cup if there wasn’t room in the Pegasus. Might they go in both?

• The same goes for Jamie Osborne-trained Toast of New York who, if anything, is plenty fresh with just one start in the last 1,000-plus days. The 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up initially went to stud, then came back into training.

• And, finally, Meydan-based runners who we know from the Kentucky Derby — 2014 contender Candy Boy and 2017’s Thunder Snow — are back to work in Dubai and could go in the World Cup if their respective preps are solid.

In other World Cup card races…

• World Approval, a possible Eclipse Award winner, is targeting the Group 1 Dubai Turf. First, he’ll prep for it in the Feb. 10 Tampa Bay Stakes.

• Defending Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Mind Your Biscuits is expected back, also after a domestic prep. Roy H, another potential champion, could target the race along with Navarro-trained X Y Jet, who won the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector in his return to the races last month.

Dubai World Cup (March 31 / 1 1/4 miles at Meydan)