Arrogate auditions for Travers in optional claimer
DEL MAR, Calif. – Arrogate missed a couple days’ training last month, which quashed trainer Bob Baffert’s original plan to send him to the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga last weekend. But Arrogate got back to work fairly quickly, and now he’ll get back to the races in a $68,000 optional-claiming race Thursday at Del Mar that just might propel Arrogate to the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
First things first, though. Arrogate needs to show he’s still on the improve after two stylish victories in June at Santa Anita. Highly regarded since before he ever ran, Arrogate is unbeaten around two turns following a defeat sprinting first time out. As with his last two races, Thursday’s race is at 1 1/16 miles.
“He’s improving. He’s still maturing,” Baffert said. “He didn’t miss much time, only a couple of days.”
There are five runners entered in the race, which will go as race 2 to keep it out of the pick six, both because of the small field and because Arrogate figures to be the odds-on favorite for the fourth time in four starts. Of the five runners, three are entered to be claimed for $62,500, with only Arrogate and Kristo using their second-level allowance conditions.
Baffert also entered Five Palms, who would be making his first start since October if he stays in.
KEY CONTENDERS
Arrogate, by Unbridled’s Song
Last 3 Beyers: 103-97-80
◗ He owns the fastest Beyer Speed Figure in the field and seems on his way to greater glory after this intermediate step.
◗ He has good early speed, but Kristo and Mystery Train to his inside and Teniente Coronel to his outside have enough speed to lean on him early, so it will be interesting to see what tactics those opponents employ, and how Arrogate responds.
◗ Rafael Bejarano has been aboard for his last two wins and is back aboard Thursday.
Kristo, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 99-96-89
◗ He is winless in three starts since returning from a 13-month layoff, but his last two races were the two fastest of his career.
◗ He finished second last time out to Conquest Cobra, who came out of that race to win again over the weekend and is bound for a stakes race next.
◗ His trainer, John Sadler, is having a sensational meeting, with a strike rate in the 30 percent range that includes a victory by Stellar Wind over Beholder in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch last Saturday.
Teniente Coronel, by Colonel John
Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-82
◗ A hard-knocking claimer who largely has raced in Kentucky and Louisiana, he has finished in the top two in half of his 28 lifetime starts. This will be his first race at Del Mar.