Juddmonte purchases spot for Arrogate in Pegasus

Juddmonte Farms announced last week that a berth has been privately purchased to allow their star colt, Arrogate, to be a starter in the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.

Juddmonte purchased the berth originally owned by Coolmore, the Irish-based partnership owned by Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith. Under the unique conditions of the Pegasus, 12 starting spots in the 1 1/8-mile race were purchased last year for $1 million each. Terms of the sale by Coolmore to Juddmonte were not disclosed.

Arrogate defeated California Chrome in the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and assuming both make the race, they are expected to vie for favoritism in the Pegasus, which offers $7 million to the winner. The Pegasus will be the career finale for California Chrome, already an earner of more than $14.5 million.

Trainer Bob Baffert has considered the Jan. 1 San Pasqual at Santa Anita for Arrogate as a possible prep toward the Pegasus but has yet to fully commit. The colt’s most recent breeze came Dec. 21 at Santa Anita.

Besides California Chrome and Arrogate, other known prospects for the Pegasus are Shaman Ghost (Stronach Stables) and Eragon (Jim McIngvale). The eight remaining starting slots are owned by Jerry and Ronald Frankel; Paul Reddam; Earle I. Mack, Moustapha Fostock, and Chester Broman ; Starlight Pegasus Partners; Daniel Schafer; Rosedown Racing; Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; and Ruis Racing.

Owners with starting spots can race, lease, contract, share a starter, or sell the spot outright. Original owners have first option to participate in the Pegasus beyond the 2017 running.

An earlier version of this article mistakenly identified one of the berth-holders as Sol Kumin and James Covello. Kumin abd Covello sold their berth in September to a partnership of Earle I. Mack, Moustapha Fostock, and Chester Broman.