Arrogate has easy drill for Breeders’ Cup Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arrogate had an easy morning Tuesday at Santa Anita, with a halfmile work in 50 seconds under jockey Rafael Bejarano as he continues his preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Del Mar. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:03, and six furlongs in 1:16, according to Santa Anita’s clockers.

Arrogate worked in company with Uninvited, who was his workmate last week. Baffert told Bejarano before the work that he wanted something easy. After Tuesday’s work, Arrogate still has four more works scheduled prior to the Classic. At least three of them will be at Santa Anita. Baffert has yet to decide if his final work will be at Del Mar.

“The next works they’ll start picking it up,” Baffert said, referring to a Classic lineup from his barn that includes Collected, the Pacific Classic winner. “I wanted [Arrogate] to go slow today. He went easy.”

Bejarano brought Arrogate all the way around the right way to the furlong pole after the work. Baffert, who had watched the work in the box seats, hustled down trackside to debrief Bejarano.

“Very easy,” Bejarano said. “I was in hand.”

Minutes later, Baffert said: “I stressed to Bejarano that I didn’t want to do a lot. I just wanted him to cruise around there. He came off the track like he hadn’t done anything, which is what I wanted.

“I had to freshen him up. He needed to be freshened up after Del Mar. I’m happy with him. I’ve just got to keep him happy. I want him to where he’s really happy, enjoying what he’s doing.

“I like where I am right now,” Baffert added. “Del Mar was like the first half. We went in at halftime, changed some things up, made some halftime adjustments.”

Arrogate ran twice at Del Mar, finishing second in the Pacific Classic in his most recent start.

“He ran a respectable race, but we know he’s capable of better,” Baffert said.

Although Baffert did not elaborate on what adjustments he has made, one thing that’s obvious is the way he has trained Arrogate so far for this year’s Breeders’ Cup compared to last year.

In 2016, Arrogate was coming straight into the race off the Travers and had a series of aggressive works. He won, running down California Chrome in deep stretch. Arrogate has had easier works to this point this year after a Del Mar campaign in which Baffert is still kicking himself for running him in the San Diego rather than simply awaiting the Pacific Classic. Arrogate finished fourth in the San Diego.

Also Tuesday, Baffert worked the comebacking Hoppertunity five furlongs in 1:00.80 in company with Irish Freedom, who was timed in 1:00.20. Baffert said both could run in the $70,000 Comma to the Top Stakes at one mile Oct. 28. That race also is expected to attract Dortmund and Kobe’s Back.

Hoppertunity has not raced since finishing sixth in the Dubai World Cup on March 25.