Arrogate, Stellar Wind prep for summer with half-mile works

ARCADIA, Calif. - Arrogate, the world's top-rated horse, the champion Stellar Wind, and the 2017 Grade 1 winners Cupid and Paradise Woods were among 238 horses with recorded workouts at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Arrogate, unraced since winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 25, worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds. Trainer Bob Baffert timed Arrogate in a slightly slower 47 seconds.

The official time reflected the fastest of 105 works at the distance and was Arrogate’s third workout this month. A 4-year-old colt owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bob Baffert, Arrogate is scheduled to have his next start in the Grade 2 TVG San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 22.

Baffert said the main goal for the summer is the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19.

Stellar Wind, the winner of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on June 3, worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds. The champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, Stellar Wind is unbeaten in two starts this year for owners Pete and Kosta Hronis and trainer John Sadler. She won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April.

The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares at Del Mar is Stellar Wind’s next likely start; she won the race in 2016.

Cupid worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds, the fastest of 67 recorded works at the distance. Cupid won the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita at 1 1/4 miles in his first start of 2017 on May 27 and is being pointed to the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park on July 8, Baffert said earlier this week.

Paradise Woods, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 8, worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds, her first major exercise since finishing 11th as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 5.

Paradise Woods was given a brief rest in May following the loss in Kentucky, trainer Richard Mandella said.

“The break did her good,” Mandella said. “She let down and gained a little weight.

“We’re starting her toward Del Mar. We can go turf or dirt. We’ll play it by ear.”

The top race for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar is the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, a $300,000 turf race run at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 19.