Report: Arc or Ascot? Haggas narrows options for No. 1 Baaeed
Undefeated Baaeed will have one more start before he's retired, and trainer William Haggas and his other connections have narrowed it down to the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 2 or the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot on Oct. 15.
Haggas told Sky Sports that the Sept. 10 Irish Champion Stakes (G1), previously a third option, has been ruled out.
"We are not keen to run him on bad ground in Paris, but if the ground is nicer there is a strong chance he will go there," Haggas told Sky Sports. "Otherwise he will wait for the Champion Stakes."
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The last four runnings of the 1 1/2-mile Arc (1 1/2 miles) have been on very soft to heavy ground. The British Champion is 1 1/4 miles.
Baaeed, ranked No. 1 by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, had is first nine starts at 1 mile. He won the Aug. 17 Juddmonte (G1) by 6 1/2 lengths at 1 5/16 miles to go 10-for-10, earning a 137 Timeform Rating, the top figure of the year.
Baaeed has raced once at the Paris track, winning the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp last year on good to soft ground.