Arrogate, Abel Tasman turn in strong workouts for stakes next weekend

Arrogate and Abel Tasman worked quickly at Santa Anita on Saturday and are set to start as massive favorites in major stakes on both sides of the country on July 22.

Arrogate, the world’s top-rated horse, worked six furlongs in 1:11 in company with Cat Burglar. The 4-year-old Arrogate is the star attraction in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar next Saturday, which will be his first start since winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March.

Trainer Bob Baffert timed Arrogate in “1:24 and change” for seven furlongs.

“He’s doing really well,” Baffert said. “It was a stiffer work today.”

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Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Arrogate has won four consecutive stakes, including the Travers Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic last year and the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January. With career earnings of $17,084,600, Arrogate is the all-time richest Thoroughbred based in North America.

The San Diego is run at 1 1/16 miles and is a prep for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19. The Baffert-trained Cat Burglar, who also will start in the San Diego, was timed in 1:11.80.

Abel Tasman, who has emerged as the leading 3-year-old filly in the nation in recent months, worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds for the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga next Saturday.

“As long as she looks good, we’ll go to the Coaching Club,” Baffert said.

The $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks is run at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-old fillies. Abel Tasman won the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in May and the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park in June.

On Saturday, Abel Tasman worked in company with Mor Spirit, the winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 10. Mor Spirit was timed in 1:00.40 and failed to impress Baffert.

Baffert was considering Mor Spirit for the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 5, but those plans are in doubt.

“He didn’t show me the energy,” Baffert said. “I’m not rushing to make the Whitney. If he gets me there, fine.”

In other workouts, Dalmore, fifth in the All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on May 29, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 for a potential start in the San Diego. Keith Desormeaux trains Dalmore, who won the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita last July.

Ashleyluvssugar, the winner of the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes on turf at Santa Anita on May 28, worked five furlongs in 1:02.60. Trained by Peter Eurton, Ashleyluvssugar is a contender for the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf July 22.

Gormley, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April, worked a half-mile in 49.60 seconds. Trained by John Shirreffs, Gormley has not raced since finishing fourth in the Belmont Stakes on June 10.