Arrogate Leads BC Classic Arsenal on Track for Baffert
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Trainer Bob Baffert (left) and assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes observe Arrogate as he walks after training at Del Mar
After shipping his string down from Santa Anita Park in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was on the scene Nov. 1 at Del Mar to put his Breeders' Cup contenders through their paces, led by Juddmonte Farms' defending 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Arrogate.
Baffert had exercise rider Dana Barnes keep Arrogate to an easy jog with the pony after the 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song left the barn around 6:30 a.m. The big gray colt backtracked an uneventful circuit of the seaside oval and was back at the barn by 6:50 a.m., when he cooled out in front of a small media contingent.
"He just jogged in the dark," Baffert said. "We usually take him out in the light, so he was looking around a lot, but he looked fine."
Arrogate went out after Breeders' Cup Classic contender Mubtaahij, who trained around 6 a.m. He was followed after the break by Collected and West Coast, who both galloped in the same set around 7:50 a.m, the latter with Barnes aboard.
"Everyone else just went around and did their thing; I didn't see any changes in any of them, so that's good," Baffert said.
Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) contender Abel Tasman also took to the track for Baffert, and put in a strong gallop with Barnes in the irons.