Arrogate drills seven furlongs for San Diego Handicap

Arrogate had an early start to beat the heat at Santa Anita on Saturday, working seven-eighths in 1:25.60.

Trainer Bob Baffert pushed up Arrogate’s workout to just before 7 a.m. on Saturday on a day in which temperatures through much of Southern California were expected to surpass 100 degrees.

Arrogate was ridden by jockey Martin Garcia, who frequently rides Baffert’s leading horses in workouts. Arrogate was timed galloping out a mile in 1:38 on a track Baffert described as “sort of deep.”

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According to Santa Anita clockers, Arrogate ran the opening quarter-mile in 25.20 seconds, a half-mile in 49.20, and five furlongs in 1:01.20. He reached six furlongs in 1:13.40.

The winner of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January and the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in March, Arrogate is scheduled to start in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 22, a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19.

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Owned by Juddmonte Farms, the 4-year-old Arrogate has won 7 of 8 starts and earned $17,084,600, the richest earnings for a North American-based Thoroughbred.

Arrogate has won seven consecutive races, a streak that includes the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga last August in his stakes debut and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November over 2016 Horse of the Year California Chrome.