Gun Runner, Arrogate prep for BC Classic with strong works

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gun Runner and Arrogate, the top two contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Del Mar, turned in sharp workouts Monday morning at Santa Anita that indicated both are coming into their Horse of the Year showdown in top form.

Gun Runner has had an excellent month of training here, and he continued with a six-furlong work in 1:11.80 just as the sun was coming up. With jockey Florent Geroux aboard, Gun Runner started about two lengths back of workmate Gettysburg, polished him off in the lane, was three to four lengths in front at the wire, then galloped-out powerfully.

“Super,” trainer Steve Asmussen said of the work. “I’m glad we came out here. Everything’s gone according to plan. I feel good about what we have in him. I just appreciate who he is.”

Gun Runner is scheduled to walk on Tuesday, gallop here on Wednesday and Thursday, then leave for Del Mar early Friday morning, Asmussen said. He will have an easy half-mile breeze at Del Mar next Monday, standard operating procedure for Asmussen the week of a race. This final work at Santa Anita was his last major drill.

:: Breeders' Cup PP packages: Get PPs, betting strategies, DRF+ Pro access, and more

Arrogate came out a little more than an hour later, after the second renovation break, and looked as good as he has in weeks, polishing off seven furlongs in 1:25.40 under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Arrogate broke off at the six-furlong pole about six lengths behind his usual workmate, Uninvited, reeled him in through the lane while reaching out the long, loping stride that carried him to victory in last year’s Classic here. Baffert was on a radio with Bejarano and instructed him to have an extensive gallop-out.

“He wanted to do it,” Baffert said of Arrogate.

After getting Arrogate pulled up, Bejarano radioed to Baffert, “Patron” – Spanish for “boss” – “really, really good.”

Baffert was so giddy over the work that when sprint champ Drefong broke off moments later for his workout, Baffert messed up timing the horse.

“I got so excited I didn’t clear my watch,” he said.

Drefong worked a half-mile by himself in 46.80 seconds while going well within himself.

“He’s doing really well,” Baffert said.