Arabian Knight will train up to Breeders' Cup Classic
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Arabian Knight, the game winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 2, will make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, trainer Bob Baffert said on Wednesday.
“I’ll probably go straight to the Breeders’ Cup,” Baffert said.
Baffert has the option of a local prep with Arabian Knight in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. Arabian Knight has not had a workout since the Pacific Classic, which he won by a neck over fellow 3-year-old Geaux Rocket Ride after a duel through the final furlong.
The Pacific Classic was the first start at 1 1/4 miles for Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride and their first races against older horses. Trainer Richard Mandella said earlier this month that Geaux Rocket Ride will not race again until the BC Classic which is run at 1 1/4 miles.
Arabian Knight, owned by Amr Zedan, has won 3 of 4 starts. In his only loss, Arabian Knight finished third by 3 3/4 lengths to Geaux Rocket Ride in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at 1 1/8 miles at Monmouth Park on July 22. The Haskell was Arabian Knight’s first start since January.
Geaux Rocket Ride earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic with the Haskell win. Arabian Knight earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic for winning the Pacific Classic.
Baffert said he has not finalized short-term race plans for Prince of Monaco, who remained unbeaten after three starts with a win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 10.
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 is a long-range goal for Prince of Monaco, with the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 7 is a potential prep race.
On Wednesday at Santa Anita, BC Classic hopeful White Abarrio had his first workout since arriving in California earlier this month.
White Abarrio, trained by Richard Dutrow, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 under jockey Emily Ellingwood. A winner of 6 of 14 starts, White Abarrio will not race until the BC Classic. A 4-year-old colt, White Abarrio won the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at 10-1 by 6 1/4 lengths at Saratoga on Aug. 5.
White Abarrio earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 110 in the Whitney.
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