Arrogate in no hurry, Baffert says

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arrogate, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in his last start on Nov. 5, worked seven furlongs on Wednesday morning at Santa Anita, but trainer Bob Baffert said he had not decided whether to run Arrogate in the San Pasqual Stakes here on Jan. 1, or simply await the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream on Jan. 28.

Baffert may have hinted at his plans, though, when he said, “I’m not going to rush him.”

“He’d have one more work before the San Pasqual,” Baffert said. “I can either run here or wait. He needed this work today.”

Arrogate worked alone, shortly after 9 a.m., with jockey Martin Garcia up. He was given an official time of 1:24.80, following splits of 24.60 seconds, 47.20, 59.40 and 1:12. He galloped out a mile in 1:39.60.

“This track is so demanding,” Baffert said.

The Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual would require Arrogate to turn back to 1 1/16 miles. The Pegasus, worth $12 million, is at 1 1/8 miles. The Breeders’ Cup Classic, in which Arrogate ran down California Chrome, was at 1 1/4 miles.

California Chrome will make his next start in the Pegasus, which will be his career finale.