By Christie DeBernardis
Champion and “TDN Rising Star” Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) breezed five furlongs in :59 flat (3/44) in company with Grade III winner Whiskey Ticket (Ghostzapper) at Santa Anita Tuesday morning (video). It was the Juddmonte colorbearer's second work since his impressive romp in the $12 million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 28.
“He went nice. He just cruised around there,” Bob Baffert told the TDN Tuesday afternoon. “They got him a little fast. He went in :59 and four. He broke off with horses in front and behind him. He also had company so it kept him interested during the whole work, which is good. He was just galloping. He is just getting better. Every time I take him out there, I just see improvement on him. He's going the right way, so that's good.”
The Hall of Fame trainer has yet to pick a race for his stable star's next start.
“We have a lot of options, but we probably won't know until the beginning of next week maybe,” Baffert remarked. “The Juddmonte team has to discuss it. The Prince [Khalid bin Abdullah] has to decide between all the spots. Everything is under consideration. We don't say no to anything. We have Dubai [for the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 25], we have the Big 'Cap [the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 11] here. He is ready for the Big 'Cap today. He could run this week. He's just ready and he always stays ready.”
Also on the worktab for the Baffert barn was fellow “TDN Rising Star” and Grade I winner Mastery (Candy Ride {Arg}), who completed six furlongs in a bullet 1:12 Tuesday working in company with MGSP Cat Burglar (Unbridled's Song) (1:12.60, 5/10) (video). Undefeated in three lifetime starts, the Cheyenne Stables runner was last seen winning the GI Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity Dec. 10.
“I love this horse,” Baffert commented. “He went really well. He's improving. He's maturing. He's doing it the right way. We are looking at the [Mar. 11 GII] San Felipe [S.] here if all goes well.”
The conditioner also offered an update on GIII Sham S. runner-up American Anthem (Bodemeister), who he reports is doing well and will be pointed to Oaklawn's GII Rebel S. Mar. 18. Baffert has won six of the last seven renewals of the Rebel with the likes of Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and MGISW Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday).
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