Breeders' Cup Classic still likely for Arrogate

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 21

Arrogate has come out of his second place finish in Saturday's Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in good order and trainer Bob Baffert is sticking with his plan to go to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Arrogate. Photo: Del Mar Racetrack

Arrogate was beaten half a length by stablemate Collected in the $US1 million Pacific Classic (1m2f) as an odds-on favourite and Baffert told the BloodHorse both horses came out of the race unscathed.

"They look good. They came out of their races well and that's important," Baffert said.

"We watched the races a few times, and Collected still won. I liked that Arrogate - even though he was running in spurts - I liked that he laid it down in the last eighth of a mile, he showed some willingness, and tried to win."

The Del Mar track is closed for training from September 8 and will reopen on October 23 ahead of the Breeders' Cup meeting on November 3 and 4.

Collected is likely to run in the Grade I Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on September 30 but Baffert said he would prefer to allow Arrogate more practice on the Del Mar surface.

"It's too bad they couldn't just stay here and train until the Breeders' Cup," Baffert said. "That would've been a perfect scenario.

"Collected really likes it down here, you can keep him in an (outdoor) pen, and he flourishes down here. And it would give Arrogate a chance to still get used to this (main track)."

Arrogate currently heads the IFHA list of World Rankings on 134 ahead of Winx on 132. The next set of rankings will be released on September 14.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.