Arrogate looking to become major player for Baffert
ARCADIA, Calif. – Arrogate was expected to be part of trainer Bob Baffert’s hopefuls for the Triple Crown this year.
“He had shins,” Baffert said. “Nothing really serious. We gave him the time.”
Arrogate was third in his debut in a sprint at Los Alamitos in April. In his second start and his first around two turns, Arrogate was the convincing winner of a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles as the 9-10 favorite at Santa Anita on June 5. The performance will make Arrogate a solid favorite when he starts in a field of five in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles in Friday’s second race.
Arrogate drew the rail and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard for the maiden-race win. Arrogate is the only runner in the field with a win in his last start.
KEY CONTENDERS
Arrogate, by Unbridled’s Song
Last 2 Beyers: 96-80
◗ Arrogate could be the sort of late developer who appears in leading stakes for 3-year-olds in the second half of the summer. Distances should not be an issue.
◗ In his maiden-race win, Arrogate led throughout and pulled away through the stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths. The colt had a troubled trip in his debut, breaking slowly and racing in traffic before losing by three-quarters of a length.
◗ The maiden-race win has left Baffert hopeful that Arrogate can continue to progress.
“He came out of the race well,” Baffert said. “This will be a step up to see how he does against winners. After this, it will be all stakes.”
◗ Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Arrogate was purchased for $560,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale. Arrogate is out of Bubbler, a mare by Distorted Humor who was a four-time stakes winner in Louisiana and Texas.
Fusaichi Samurai, by Street Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 93-81-87
◗ Fusaichi Samurai won his debut at Los Alamitos last December but is winless in five starts this year, including four second-place finishes. He has been rated as a contender in several races, losing at odds of 9-10, 7-10, 1-2, and 5-2 in his last four starts.
◗ Owned by Kaleem Shah, Fusaichi Samurai was second, beaten three-quarters of a length by Ike Walker, in an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on June 4. Victor Espinoza was aboard for that race and has the mount Friday.
Chief of Staff, by Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 87-65-88
◗ Chief of Staff was a game second in his first start of the year, an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on May 12. Chief of Staff led briefly in that race and finished a half-length behind Nardo.
◗ In 2015, Chief of Staff won 2 of 9 starts. He won an optional claimer for California-breds at a mile on the main track by 6 1/2 lengths at Del Mar last August. That performance makes Chief of Staff a contender on Friday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Chief of Staff. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 49-13-10-4 with a $3.01 ROI over the past two years going sprint to route on dirt at Santa Anita. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Afleet Domination. Trainer Rafael Becerra is 16-4-3-3 with a $3.80 ROI over the past two years in dirt routes with Mario Gutierrez aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan