Arrogate all set for Dubai

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arrogate completed his serious training for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, to be run March 25, with a strong seven-furlong workout Sunday at Santa Anita in 1:25, an outstanding time considering that the track was slower than usual.

Arrogate came onto the track just after the midmorning renovation break with stablemate Cat Burglar, and after they jogged and galloped through the homestretch, they immediately broke off at the 6 1/2-furlong pole, with Arrogate initially about two lengths back.

Dane Nelson, the head clocker at Santa Anita, caught Arrogate in fractions of 24.60 seconds, 36.80, 48.60, and 1:12.80, and he was clearly best heading to the wire. Martin Garcia, per usual, was up for the work, but regular rider Mike Smith has the mount in Dubai.

“That’s his last serious work,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He’ll have an easy half-mile breeze there. He did it all on his own.”

Baffert has both Arrogate and Hoppertunity in the World Cup. Hoppertunity was third in the race last year behind California Chrome.

Arrogate and Hoppertunity were scheduled to leave California on Monday. Dana Barnes, Baffert’s top exercise rider and the wife of assistant trainer Jim Barnes, is going to be in Dubai initially, with Baffert to arrive the week of the race. This will be Baffert’s first visit to Dubai since he suffered a heart attack there five years ago and had to have two stents inserted.

Shaman Ghost back to Florida

The absence of Arrogate and Hoppertunity from the Santa Anita Handicap last Saturday made it an appealing spot for Shaman Ghost, who shipped West and won the race, one of two Grade 1 wins on the card for jockey Javier Castellano.

Shaman Ghost had finished second to Arrogate in the Pegasus World Cup in his prior start. He was not committed to the Big Cap until it was certain that Arrogate was passing to go to Dubai.

Shaman Ghost was scheduled to leave California on Tuesday. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Shaman Ghost would be on a flight with several horses who are going to Ocala, Fla., and from there, Shaman Ghost would van to the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida, where Jerkens is based for the winter.

Jerkens said he had not made any plans for Shaman Ghost but did mention races such as the Oaklawn Handicap next month, which Jerkens won last year with Effinex, and the Brooklyn at Belmont Park in June, part of the Belmont Stakes card and a race Shaman Ghost won last year.

“He’s a throwback, like the kind of handicap horses we used to have,” Jerkens said.

Bal a Bali’s freshening pays off

Trainer Richard Mandella called the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile victory by Bal a Bali on Saturday “one of the most pleasurable ones I’ve had.” Bal a Bali was making his first start since June and very nearly went to stud this year before owner Calumet Farm decided to leave him in training for another year.

Before Bal a Bali could return to racing, though, he needed to get over the rigors of an aggressive campaign in the first half of 2016.

“He was burned out, stiff and sore,” Mandella said Sunday at his Santa Anita barn.

Mandella sent Bal a Bali to San Luis Rey Downs, where, he said, trainer Michele Dollase oversaw his training.

“He swam for a couple of weeks, then would swim and train,” Mandella said. “It did him good to get freshened up that way. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Michele.”

Bal a Bali, bred in Brazil, has won 14 times in 23 starts. Before coming to Mandella, he overcame a case of laminitis.

Mandella also was thrilled with the victory in a maiden race of the 3-year-old filly Paradise Woods, a daughter of Union Rags who scored in her second start.

“I thought she’d win first time, but I guess I was too impressed with my training,” Mandella said. “She’s a big, tall, leggy filly. Eventually, I think she’ll stretch out, but I don’t know if I’ll stretch her out next time just yet.”

Dortmund fails to handle turf

Dortmund tried turf for the first time in the Kilroe Mile, and it likely will be the last time. He finished last of six, beaten more than 11 lengths by Bal a Bali, and on Sunday, trainer Art Sherman said Dortmund would return to dirt for his next start.

“He didn’t handle it at all,” Sherman said of the turf. “He was bobbling, not comfortable at all. I’m very happy with the way he came back.”

Sherman said Dortmund will make his next start in the $75,000 Santana Mile on dirt April 1.

The Kilroe Mile was the first start for Dortmund since he was transferred to Sherman after owner Kaleem Shah and Baffert split.

BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON Arrogate was to leave California for Dubai on Monday.