With the inaugural running of the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park looming less than three weeks away, primary contenders Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) both passed important checkpoints in their preparations for the Jan. 28 race Sunday. While California Chrome jogged for the first time since arriving to Gulfstream late last week, Arrogate completed a crucial six-furlong workout in 1:11.94 over a drying out, “good” main track at Santa Anita after management allowed trainer Bob Baffert to drill the GI Breeders' Cup Classic champion prior to the day's first race.
With jockey Martin Garcia up, Arrogate came on the track via the quarter mile chute at 11:45 a.m. Sunday and went straight to the clubhouse turn as he followed workmate Uninvited (Misremembered). Arrogate broke off behind his stablemate at the three-quarter pole and easily established control going into the far turn, breezing solo through the lane. Arrogate was officially credited with splits of 24.51, 47.96 and 59.89 en route to his six furlong time of 1:11.94. Although the work was officially six furlongs in distance, Garcia kept after the gray on the far turn, completing seven furlongs in 1:24.56 and mile galloping out in 1:37 flat.
“I was happy with the work,” said Baffert. “I still have to see how he comes out of it. It was nice to get the work in. It wasn't the ideal situation but we knew he likes the mud, an off track. Great horses always like the mud.”
With heavy rains in the area preventing Arrogate from working since Dec. 27, Baffert added that it was essential to get the long-striding gray back to the track for some serious exercise.
“We got the work in and that was very important,” the Hall of Famer explained. “I'd rather work on a nice, dry track. Every time you work on an off track, you're taking that chance, but I got a nice, stiff work into him so that was very important.”
As for Arrogate's travel plans, Baffert said he would monitor the weather in Southern California and make decisions on a day-to-day basis. Winner of the GI Travers S. in his stakes debut Aug. 27, the 'TDN Rising Star' defeated California Chrome in just his sixth career start in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
On a relatively cold and windy morning in South Florida, California Chrome hit the Gulfstream main track at 5:45 a.m., with the temperature in the mid-40s. After jogging once the wrong way around the track beneath regular exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, it was decided to let the spirited chestnut complete another circuit to burn off some pent up energy. California Chrome arrived at Gulfstream Friday afternoon and was given a day to recover from his travels Saturday.
“That's why we ended up jogging him twice, just because he has been off three days,” Gladney explained back at the barn. “They walked him yesterday after he got here on Friday, so I knew today was going to be tough. And this weather today was not my best friend, either. But you know what, he's the type of horse that has energy, regardless. He doesn't care whether it's 100 degrees or 30 degrees–he's just one of those horses. He's gentle to ride, but he's that type of horse who knows who he is. He's on it.”
California Chrome's training at Gulfstream is being supervised by Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father, Art Sherman.
“He was feeling really good, so we decided to take him another lap,” Alan Sherman said. “It's easier on everybody when he gets a little bit out of it, otherwise he just feels so good and gets a little tough to handle. That cold wind hitting him in the butt probably set him off a little bit.”
When asked about a potential rematch with Arrogate, Sherman said he welcomes the challenge.
“I want to run against Arrogate, I hope he comes,” Sherman said.
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