Arctic Arrogance will shorten up in distance moving forward
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Following his fourth-place finish in Saturday’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial, Arctic Arrogance is basically out of the Kentucky Derby picture. His 36 qualifying points leave him 27th on the list, needing seven defections to get into the field.
Trainer Linda Rice said she will likely back Arctic Arrogance up in distance anyway, which opens up several different options. One could be the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on the May 6 Kentucky Derby undercard.
Another could be the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds going seven furlongs on May 30 as a possible stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $200,000 Dwyer going a mile on July 1. The Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan is at 1 1/8 miles on May 13, but it is run around one turn.
“All of those options are open, we’ll give it some time, figure out where we want to be,” Rice said Monday. “We’ll probably try him at shorter distances going forward.”
Rice will likely run Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes winner Joey Freshwater back in the $150,000 Gold Fever Stakes at Belmont Park on May 12. That six-furlong race could lead to a start in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Belmont on June 10.
Joey Freshwater won the Bay Shore by 1 1/4 lengths over Gilmore. He earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He used to race a little spotty and all over the place, but he’s getting more seasoning, he’s switching leads better, he’s stalking nicely and finishing up well,” Rice said. “I’m pleased with the way he’s coming along.”
Last Friday, Rice won the Grade 3 Distaff Handicap with Mommasgottarun, who was wheeling back five days after she finished last in the Top Flight Stakes.
Rice said she would consider either the Grade 2, $200,000 Ruffian going a mile on May 6 or the Grade 3, $175,000 Vagrancy Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs on May 14 as potential next spots for Mommasgottarun.
“If one looks significantly easier, we’ll go to that one,” Rice said. “As far as distance goes, it looks like she could do either one.”
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