There may be no lightning rod more controversial than Bob Baffert, but whatever anyone’s perception of the Hall of Fame coach may be, there’s no denying that he’s a master. in winning big races and shining when the spotlight is at its brightest.
The 26th edition of the Dubai $12 million FIFA World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) showed it in their victory. Country Grammer mixture of irony, joy, anger, whitewash and any other emotion known to mankind as the racing world comes to capture it.
Nearly 11 months after Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) to Baffert and owner Amr Zedan, only disqualified for testing positive for drugs in a case that sparked the With ongoing legal battles, Country Grammer gave Baffert and Zedan, as well as fellow owners WinStar Farm and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, an emotional victory over Hot Rod Charlie in the March 26 race about a quarter of a mile at Meydan Racecourse.
“Ladies and gentlemen, that’s Bob Baffert right there,” Zedan said after the race. “That’s what Bob Baffert is capable of. I’m overwhelmed. It’s an amazing feeling. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. It’s been a tough year and now we’re back. “
Country Grammer connections lift the Dubai World Cup
Victory of the son of Tonalist After a strong second-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Arabia Cup (G1) in his first appearance in nearly nine months. While some horses can pull through such a grand endeavor, the Country Grammer took it a step further on Saturday under the leadership of iconic European equestrian Frankie Dettori.
“It takes the best coach in the world. That horse came off the bench and (Baffert) brought it back,” Zedan said. “This win reminds me of Medina Spirit. He’s a champion and these horses are all at heart. I hope Medina Spirit is reinstalled as the Kentucky Derby winner, God willing.
“I can’t believe I’m sitting here and my silks are here. I’m so grateful to the whole team and Frankie who gave him the perfect ride. He’s one of the best, if not the best. The results speak louder than words. A coach of that caliber is bound to produce results like that. I dedicate this race only to him.”
The victory, which came just two days after Baffert’s four horses were sent to other trainers so they could earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, was the fourth win for both Baffert and Dettori in the DWC.
“It was a long ride, Frankie drove him fantastic. He couldn’t have done better. The pace was just as we thought it was, he put him in a position close enough that when he called him, he got the horse right a mile and a half and it worked,” said assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, who was tasked with overseeing Country Grammer during his time in the Middle East. “I give a lot of credit to Bob Baffert for his ability to come back and perform, that’s what we do. We were great when we got fired.
“I’m so excited. I was here when Arrogate won the Dubai World Cup (in 2017), so it’s my second time with Bob and it’s very, very special.”
forestry mare Arabic songs for $110,000 from Lane’s End consignment when it goes on sale at the Keeneland All Age Horse Sale in January 2021 following the death of original owner Paul Pompa Jr. Following Country Grammer’s victory in a 1/4 Hollywood Golden Mile (G1) victory in the second start for Baffert, Zedan and the Commonwealth have joined as partners to race him this year. .
While Saturday’s victory rewarded WinStar’s faith in the 5-year-old, the race also created mixed emotions as the stables also have their own set of challenges. Life is good cooperate with China Horse Club. After the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes was introduced by 1/ST Racing (G1), the winner took the early lead and took the lead for most of the race, son of Into Mischief Fatigue in the final lasted when racing 1 1/4 miles for the first time. Seemingly poised to win at the top of the stretch with his foes urged on by their riders, he came in empty-handed and languished to fourth in the finish.
Country Grammer cross rope 1 3/4 length front Hot Rod Charlie who took second place for the United States precision award, while Chuwa Wizard runner-up at last year’s Dubai World Cup, rose to third place late one night as the Japanese horses racked up five wins in the rich draw.
Coached by Todd Pletcher after starting his career with Baffert, Life Is Good experienced only its second loss in eight starts.
“It’s racing at its best,” said Elliott Walden, CEO, president and racing director of WinStar Farm. “This is why we also ran Country Grammer. Life Is Good didn’t come out like he could, but Country Grammer was a great pick. We knew he was going to hit the quarter mile.
“We’ll go back and regroup with Life Is Good. He’s run his race. There’s a long way to go and the track is a bit dead. Bob Baffert is a good horse trainer and he showed it off tonight.”
Boat racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing and William Strauss’ Hot Rod Charlie, the first grade winning son of Oxbow , gearing up for his runner-up with a group 2 stake win on the track last month. The 4-year-old currently owns a 4-4-3 record in 15 appearances.
He drove early to the back seat, backing up, but discovered another gear was late with a vertical charge inside.
Coach Doug O’Neill said: “We wanted to win but we are very proud of his effort. “This is one of the few times when you wish the horse could talk. I thought maybe the flash might need to come back. He broke okay but then when he got behind the horse, maybe it was. is that.” (Jockey Flavien Prat) says he’s been, however, pretty good, so we’ll regroup and we’ll give him plenty of time right now and we’ll get together and come up with a plan game. “
Winner of five out of 10 starting with over $10.8 million in earnings, Country Grammer is the fourth of six Arabian Song ponies and half-brother to the 3rd grader. Happy Rhythm (Runhappy ). Scott and Debbie Pierce bred him in Kentucky.
Future plans for the multiclass 1 winner returning to the United States are uncertain, complicated by the 90-day suspension Baffert is facing due to Medina Spirit’s positive betamethasone test result too try.
Country Grammer and his connections in the winner’s circle
Videotapes
