Arctic Arrogance being considered for Pat Day Mile
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While Arctic Arrogance won’t be running in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Linda Rice hasn’t ruled out a trip to Louisville for the New York-bred 3-year-old, who is under consideration for the Grade 2, $500,000 Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard.
If she opts to skip that trip, Rice said Arctic Arrogance would instead by pointed to the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds going seven furlongs at Belmont Park on May 29.
“I’m going to take a look at the Pat Day, see who’s going in there,” Rice said. “We can always stay home and run in the Mike Lee and then the Dwyer or Woody Stephens.”
The one thing that seems certain is Rice will point Arctic Arrogance to races run around one turn. Arctic Arrogance finished fourth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial after finishing second to Hit Show in the Withers. Both races were at 1 1/8 miles.
Arctic Arrogance’s two career wins have come around one turn, a maiden victory going six furlongs and the Sleepy Hollow Stakes for statebreds going a mile.
Arctic Arrogance returned to the worktab last Friday, going a half-mile in 50 seconds over Belmont’s training track.
Meanwhile, Rice could have multiple runners for the Bouwerie Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies on the May 29 Belmont program. Les Bon Temps, who won Sunday’s $200,000 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes by disqualification, is possible for that race along with her stablemate Downtown Mischief.
Les Bon Temps crossed the wire second in the Park Avenue but was elevated to first after the stewards determined that Little Linzee, who crossed the wire first under Katie Davis, drifted out several paths and interfered with Les Bon Temps, who was ridden by Jose Ortiz.
Rice said she will also consider Les Bon Temps for the Cupecoy’s Joy division of the NYSS. That June 18 race is scheduled for seven furlongs on the turf.
“The Laoban [progeny] do seem to like the grass so I do think we’ll try the turf,” Rice said.
Downtown Mischief is 3 for 3 with two wins against New York-breds and a victory in the Cicada Stakes on March 18.
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