Dubai World Cup entrant Gunnevera's bruised hoof has improved since it was diagnosed about 24 hours ago, and the colt remains on course to start Saturday night in the $10 million World Cup.

Gunnevera had a strong open gallop Wednesday morning but was found to be slightly lame after returning to his stall. His shoes were pulled and the problem discovered, after which it was treated with soaking and poultice. Sano was confident Wednesday that the issue wouldn't keep Gunnevera from racing, and things appeared to be trending positively Thursday when Gunnevera walked the 1.9 miles from the quarantine facility to the Meydan main track, schooled in the gate, and jogged around the chute. Sano said he still planned to gallop Gunnevera a Friday morning.

"The blacksmith is here right now," Sano said, reached by phone later Thursday morning. "His foot is 100-percent."