Arrogate is the Master of his Domain in San Diego
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The Duke of Del Mar, the Master of his Domain, the King of the World, whatever you want to call him, Arrogate figures to rule with a mighty stride in Saturday's $300,000 TVG San Diego Handicap.
Five others have signed on to face the monster winner of seven straight in the 1 1/16-mile, Grade 2 feature at Del Mar, but in what amounts as to little more than a prep run for the million-dollar TVG Pacific Classic on August 19, this promises to be all about the big horse.
Part of the loaded Bob Baffert barn, and owned by Juddmonte Farm, Arrogate began his reign of big race domination in last summer's Travers Stakes, but before that, the powerful gray got his final preparation for the limelight with a run at Del Mar.
In fact, this will be only the second career start at the seaside oval for Arrogate. Last time he was here, though, he was not the same champion that we all know today. The occasion was an August 4 allowance race, and that facile victory quickly led to everything we have seen over the past 11 months.
Electrifying victories in the Travers, Breeders' Cup Classic, Pegasus World Cup, and most recently the Dubai World Cup, have propelled the four-year-old son of Unbridled's Song to international super stardom. In that last race at Meydan on March 25, Arrogate proved that he can overcome trouble against world class horses, after getting squeezed back badly at the start.
The top rated horse in the world, and the world's richest runner, now looks to return to U.S. racing exactly the way he left it -- on top by a long way. As for the bunch he will face on Saturday, they look more like lambs than lions. A group that surely will be contesting things for only second place behind the mighty Arrogate.
Not one in the group comes in off a stakes win, or strong recent form for that matter, and none have ever won a single Grade 1 race. The five, which consist of: Accelerate from the John Sadler barn; Cat Burglar, also a Baffert trained son of Unbridled's Song; Donworth, for trainer, Doug O’Neill; Dalmore, from the barn of Keith Desormeaux; and the Peter Miller-trained, El Huerfano, will have more than their hands full on Saturday.
In what will mark his shortest race since last he raced at Del Mar, Arrogate carrying 126 pounds, will be giving his San Diego competition between 8 and 11 pounds. Which actually seems rather mild, considering their respective credentials. Mike Smith will again be in the saddle on the 3yo Champion of 2016, and the pair will break from the three-post.
While Saturday's race promises to be rather pedestrian for a horse who has accomplished so much, it should offer a good place to return for Arrogate, and another chance for race fans to see him shine. For the champion, it will be a chance to gear up again for what will be another big summer and fall, and over a track that will host both the Pacific Classic and the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 4.
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