Juddmonte Farms' champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Arrogate (Unbridled's Song), the all-time leading money earner among North American Thoroughbreds, will likely make his next start in the July 22 GII TVG San Diego H. at Del Mar, trainer Bob Baffert said Monday. Arrogate, who continued a monumental rise to the top of the sport with a remarkable score in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 25, could make three more starts in 2017–all at Del Mar–according to Baffert. Should all go well in the San Diego, the hulking gray could round out his year with starts in the Aug. 19 GI TVG Pacific Classic and with a title defense in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
“The TVG San Diego likely is our next stop if all goes well,” said Baffert. “We'll take him to Del Mar for the summer and if he gets back in action in the TVG San Diego, that could be a good prep for the Pacific Classic and then possibly the Breeders' Cup Classic.”
Arrogate won once at Del Mar last summer, annexing an optional claimer in his fourth career start as a prep for his 13 1/2-length breakout victory in Saratoga's GI Travers S. The once-beaten colt subsequently captured the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita, cementing honors as champion 3-year-old male of 2016. Arrogate added to his astronomical earnings with a score in the inaugural running of the Jan. 28 GI Pegasus World Cup prior to his latest tally in Dubai.
The 4-year-old has not posted a workout since the Dubai World Cup, but has been in regular training at Baffert's Santa Anita base.
Arrogate's Del Mar-centric course could prove to be a boon for the seaside oval, which is set to host its traditional summer meet beginning July 19, as well as a fall meet centering on the Breeders' Cup, which opens Nov. 1.
“We're very pleased that the Arrogate connections have decided to stay home and give California's Thoroughbred fans a chance to watch the best horse in racing right now perform,” commented Del Mar's executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. “We'll be delighted to showcase him at Del Mar and his presence will add some marvelous spice to our overall racing program.”
The Pacific Classic is a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup Classic and figures to secure heightened importance this year as a prep race run over the same trip and track as the main event at the World Championships.
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