Published Monday, August 14th, 2017   ( 6 years ago )

Arrogate Preps in :47.60 Monday in Final TVG Pacific Classic Move

Arrogate

Arrogate © Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Juddmonte Farms’ Arrogate put in his final bit of major exercise for this Saturday’s $1-million TVG Pacific Classic when he drilled four furlongs in :47.60 on a cool morning at Del Mar Monday.

“He just cruised around there,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who watched the move from the Del Mar grandstand. “We’re set (for Saturday).”

Going off at 7:55 with regular exercise rider Martin Garcia in the boot, the dark gray son of Unbridled’s Song broke off alone from the half-mile pole and clipped off fractions of :24.20 and :35.40 en route to his final time. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00, then continued on steadily for a “double gallop out” time the track’s clockers registered at 1:14.20.

Garcia had a slight issue with the colt changing leads nearing the eighth pole, but got him to adjust and finish the work smoothly.

“I thought he looked good,” said regular rider Mike Smith, who also watched the move from the grandstand. “He looked happy to me.”

Arrogate will be favored to win Saturday’s 27th edition of the TVG Pacific Classic, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race tied to the Breeders’ Cup Classic , which will be run at Del Mar on November 4. Both races are at a mile and one quarter.

Arrogate could only finish fourth in his most recent start, the TVG San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 22, beaten that day by more than 15 lengths at 1-20 odds. The winner of the San Diego, Hronis Racing’s Accelerate, is expected to be in the TVG Pacific Classic lineup, as are four to five other runners, including another Baffert charge, Speedway Stable’s Collected.

Del Mar’s 11-race Saturday card also will include the Grade I Del Mar Oaks and the Grade II Del Mar Handicap. First post is at 2 p.m.