Arrogate Solid in Return to Training

DEL MAR, CA – Showing no signs of fatigue following a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Grade 2, $300,000 TVG San Diego Handicap on July 22, superstar colt Arrogate drilled a solid 7-furlong solo workout on Tuesday at Del Mar.

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith watched North America’s richest race horse clock splits of :25.20, :37.20, :48.40, 1:00.60, 1:12.60, and 1:25.20, with a gallop out time of 1:38.20. The two Hall of Famers were pleased with what they saw.

“It was a serious work,” Baffert said. “He didn’t need much encouragement. He’s moving forward. I’ve seen a big difference in him since that last race. He’s back to his old self again.”

Smith has been aboard Arrogate for his last five starts, the first four of which were Grade 1 wins before misfiring last out, and thought that Arrogate looked good with the strong gallop out.

#Arrogate worked 7F in 1:25.20 as he gears up for the Pacific Classic @DelMarRacing! @JuddmonteFarms

More works on: https://t.co/vCZgVVRYIS pic.twitter.com/oBzLU88m3t

— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) August 8, 2017

“He just was flat, so flat,” Smith said following the July 22nd defeat. “We were going around there OK, and then I took him outside like I did in Dubai (where he won the Dubai World Cup in his last start on March 25), but he just didn’t pick it up. So I dropped him inside again and cut the corner, then wheeled him outside once more and tried to get something from him, but he was just flat. He wasn’t trying.”

Arrogate’s regular exercise rider, jockey Martin Garcia, was in the saddle for the morning drill and only needed to give the 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song some encouragement near the end of the work.

Arrogate is scheduled for one more work on Monday, August 14, before entering in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The Pacific Classic is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” that provides the winner with automatic entry to the $6,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will also be held at Del Mar. The Pacific Classic will be the local prep for the main event on November 4; both are 1 1/4-mile races.