By Ben Massam
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Thursday was unquestionably the busiest morning of the week so far at Gulfstream Park, with every entrant for the GI Pegasus World Cup making an appearance on the track, but not surprisingly, the bulk of the attention was once again focused on the race's two headliners, California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) and Arrogate (Unbridled's Song). While other contenders quietly continued their preparation for the race without much of a stir, the morning began and ended with a large crowd of spectators present to observe the training of the two favorites.
Following his usual routine, California Chrome was out on the track early before daybreak to gallop. The chestnut once again showed good energy, seemingly wanting to do more under a firm hold from rider Dihigi Gladney. After the conclusion of his exercise, Chrome jogged the opposite way down the homestretch and was met with a cheer of approval from a number of 'Chromies' visiting Gulfstream to witness the 6-year-old's expected final start, as well as a flock of television cameras. The two-time Horse of the Year continued on to the chute at the top of the stretch, where he schooled in the gate before heading back to the barn.
Just as his inside post position is on the opposite end of the spectrum from California Chrome's wide draw in the 12-hole, Arrogate came out much later in the morning than his foe, hitting the track just after 9 a.m. with the temperature rising noticeably. The hulking gray was the first horse to step on to the surface after the second renovation break and appeared as unflappable as always, galloping with great ease.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was at Gulfstream for the first morning this week, briefly making an appearance at the “Chief's Corner” viewing stand–named to honor the late Hall of Fame conditioner Allen Jerkens–before walking down to observe his colt's training at the track level. Baffert spoke with media, joking that he was completely “on Florida time” after traveling to Gulfstream from his California base with a stop in London to receive Arrogate's honor as the Longines World's Best Racehorse Tuesday. The Hall of Fame theme continued with trainer Shug McGaughey and jockey Jerry Bailey among those standing nearby while Arrogate trained. The latter remarked that the recently crowned champion sophomore colt of 2016 looked “great.”
If the frenzy of activity on the far turn was not enough, a drone buzzed by overhead as Arrogate departed the track and walked back to Barn 15.
Earlier in the morning, the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Keen Ice (Curlin) and Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) galloped for the first time in Hallandale Beach after arriving from Palm Beach Downs Wednesday. Keen Ice hit the track under the cover of darkness, while Neolithic came out in the second training set and visited the starting gate. Pletcher also sent out the pair of Stanford (Malibu Moon) and Madefromlucky (Lookin At Lucky), cross-entered as the respective morning line first and second choices in Saturday's Poseidon H. and as alternate entries in the Pegasus.
Stronach Stables' Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) made a favorable impression in his second morning at Gulfstream, galloping smoothly and schooling in the gate. The bay is a Grade I winner over the Pegasus's nine-furlong trip, having annexed the Woodward at Saratoga Sept. 3. War Story (Northern Afleet) was on his toes from the moment he set foot on the track and had an up-tempo gallop in his first appearance since shipping over from Gulfstream Park West Wednesday. The gelding most recently captured the Queens County S. at Aqueduct Dec. 17.
The day's activity wrapped up with a number of Pegasus entrants schooling, including Arrogate, who entered the paddock prior to the first race.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
