Arrogate regains winning look

DEL MAR, Calif. – Arrogate put in a serious piece of work on Tuesday morning at Del Mar in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19, going seven furlongs in 1:25.20, after which trainer Bob Baffert said Arrogate is “acting like his old self.”

Arrogate is one of two horses Baffert has under consideration for the Pacific Classic, along with Collected. Baffert had a busy morning Tuesday, as he also worked American Anthem and West Coast for upcoming starts at Saratoga.

The focus of the morning, though, was on Arrogate, who worked shortly after the second of three renovation breaks under jockey Martin Garcia, his regular work rider. He broke off at the 4 1/2-furlong pole, and Garcia was on his belly all the way around to the 5 1/2-furlong pole, and then Arrogate continued to gallop out all the way past the three-furlong pole.

The extensive work did not take anything out of Arrogate, Garcia reported to Baffert via radio.

“Martin said everything’s good,” Baffert said. “He’s not blowing.

“He did that the way he usually does, without encouragement.”

Baffert watched the work from the grandstand, with interested bystanders including Arrogate’s regular jockey, Mike Smith, and Smith’s agent, Brad Pegram.

Baffert said Arrogate would “come back and blow out” early next week, likely on Monday, five days in front of the Pacific Classic. Entries are due and posts drawn next Tuesday.

Arrogate is coming off the worst race of his career, a fourth-place finish in the San Diego Handicap on July 22 in which he never put forth any effort.

“I’ve seen a big difference now since his last race,” Baffert said. “His attitude. He’s acting like his old self.”

Baffert is still second-guessing himself over running in the San Diego.

“I can get him ready for a mile-and-quarter race off a layoff,” he said. “I’d have been better off waiting.”

Baffert said Arrogate “acted like he was dehydrated” in the San Diego. He said the track surface was not a factor.

Baffert tipped his hand over potential strategy in the Pacific Classic. He said that at Del Mar, “you’ve got to be into the race.”

“You can’t win here like he did in Dubai,” he said. “You’re not gonna do that here.”

Arrogate was far back in the Dubai World Cup and closed powerfully to beat Gun Runner. That was his fourth straight victory in a major race, following wins in the Travers, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Pegasus World Cup.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Baffert worked West Coast six furlongs in 1:12.60 in preparation for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26. American Anthem, scheduled to run in the Allen Jerkens – formerly the King’s Bishop – also on Aug. 26, went five furlongs in 1:00.40. Garcia was aboard both.

Other workers of note Tuesday included Midnight Storm, who went six furlongs in 1:12.80 for trainer Phil D’Amato in a prep for the Del Mar Mile on turf Aug. 20, and both Vale Dori (four furlongs, 48.60 seconds) and Vyjack (five furlongs, 1:02.20).