Arrogate set for return

Arrogate is returning to racing after a nearly four-month layoff with a bull’s-eye on his back. The 4-year-old colt ranked the world’s No. 1 horse brings a seven-race winning streak into the San Diego Handicap today at Del Mar. He won the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, the $12 million Pegasus World Cup in January and the $10 million Dubai World Cup in his last start on March 25. The race is a tuneup for more prestigious races later on and the first of three potential starts the colt will make at the seaside track north of San Diego. Arrogate’s target this summer is the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19. The field for the Grade 2 San Diego was reduced to five on Friday when trainer Keith Desormeaux decided to run Dalmore in Sunday’s $75,000 Wickerr Stakes instead of taking on Arrogate. That leaves Accelerate, Cat Burglar, El Huerfano and Donworth to challenge Arrogate, who figures to be the odds-on favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race. Bob Baffert trains both Arrogate and Cat Burglar. Arrogate will carry high weight of 126 pounds, including Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.