Arrogate pleases Baffert in Dubai World Cup drill

At Santa Anita on Sunday, champion Arrogate turned in a strong seven-furlong move for the March 25 Dubai World Cup (G1).

Working in company with stablemate Cat Burglar (as identified by Daily Racing Form), the Bob Baffert trainee settled several lengths behind early, ranged up alongside turning for home, edged clear approaching the wire, and drew off by open lengths in a monster gallop-out for Martin Garcia.

Arrogate officially clocked seven furlongs in a brisk 1:24. According to Blood-Horse, Juddmonte Farms’ battleship gray posted a half-mile split in :48 2/5, and he galloped out the mile in 1:38.

“He worked like he usually does,” Baffert told Blood-Horse. “He worked great again. He (galloped) out a mile. I liked what I saw. We're right on course for Dubai.”

And as for using Cat Burglar for target practice?

“He (Arrogate) needs something to keep him interested, otherwise he'll lose interest on you a little bit.”

With Arrogate scheduled to fly out to Dubai on March 13, Sunday’s drill is presumably his most serious piece of exercise before getting on the plane. An easy leg-stretcher may be all that’s necessary next weekend.

Reilly: Arrogate bound for Dubai World Cup

Baffert’s other World Cup runner, Hoppertunity, worked six furlongs Friday in 1:12 3/5.

Arrogate, who hasn’t lost since his debut, will bring a six-race winning streak into Meydan. His most recent victories have come in three of the sport’s most coveted races – the Travers (G1) in track-record time at Saratoga; the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita; and the inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1), the world’s richest race, in track-record time at Gulfstream Park.

If Arrogate extends his supremacy in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the $6 million winner’s check would push his earnings past California Chrome’s and on to a North American record $17,084,600.