Arrogate earns trip to Travers with easy win in optional claimer

DEL MAR, Calif. – The late-developing Arrogate is ready for his stakes debut in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

Arrogate won his third consecutive race with an easy victory against two rivals in an optional claimer at Del Mar on Thursday. The win left trainer Bob Baffert eager to try Arrogate in the Travers at 1 1/4 miles, the leading race for 3-year-olds in August.

Arrogate, by Unbridled’s Song, was bred and races for Juddmonte Farms.

On Thursday, Arrogate ($2.20) closed from last to take the lead in early stretch. He won by 1 3/4 lengths, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.76. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Arrogate raced wide on the backstretch after jockey Kent Desormeaux allowed the outsider Teniente Coronel to run well off the rail. Arrogate challenged eventual runner-up Kristo for the lead on the turn.

“It was a good schooling race,” Baffert said. “He ran a mile and an eighth.

“I wanted to take him back and let him relax. I didn’t want to go head-and-head.”

The race drew five entries, but Five Palms and Mystery Train were scratched.

Arrogate was third in his debut at Los Alamitos in April and is unbeaten in his last three starts, including a maiden race and an optional claimer at Santa Anita in June. In the Travers, Arrogate will face a field expected to include Exaggerator, the winner of three of the most important stakes for 3-year-olds this year – the Santa Anita Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Haskell Invitational.

Arrogate was not ready for the Triple Crown races this year. Baffert said he thinks the colt will improve with time.

“He’s still an immature thing,” Baffert said. “I think he’ll be a good 4-year-old.”