Bob Baffert suffers heart attack in Dubai

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert suffered an apparent heart attack Monday morning while preparing for the Dubai World Cup. The 59-year-old trainer is in the Persian Gulf state with World Cup starter Game On Dude and sprinter The Factor.

Baffert was taken to a hospital after not feeling well Sunday night into Monday morning. At the hospital two stints were inserted into a pair of arteries to relieve blockages.

"We're all very concerned about Bob's health and we're glad to hear that his condition is stable and his outlook is good," said Santa Anita CEO Mark Verge. "On the other hand, and I'm sure Bob would appreciate this, we're also very glad to learn that Bob's got a heart!! We understand his signature white mane is intact and we're hoping he can get back to cracking jokes and being the most-recognized guy in our sport as soon as possible."

Verge continued, "We understand his doctors have given him a very favorable prognosis and we wish him good luck with both The Factor and Game On Dude, who will be running in a couple of the biggest races of the year over the weekend. We look forward to getting Bob back here at Santa Anita as soon as possible and we wish both him and Jill (Baffert's wife) and their entire family all the best during this difficult time."

The trainer was accompanied to Dubai for Saturday's races by his wife Jill, seven-year-old son Bode and Game On Dude's co-owner Bernard Schiappa.