EPSOM, ENGLAND // Arrogate has been given another month off after his heroics in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March and is unlikely to be seen again on a racecourse before August.
The American colt powered to a stunning success at Meydan last month having won the Pegasus World Cup in January and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
The grey, trained by Bob Baffert, is being targeted at a repeat victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, staged at Del Mar in his home state of California, and the Pacific Classic in August looks the most logical stepping stone.
“The initial thing is to probably give him a break, then think about something like the Pacific Classic at Del Mar as that is where the Breeders’ Cup is this year, and take it from there,” Lord Grimthorpe, UK racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said.
“That’s in August and whether we go before it is hard to tell at this stage. He won’t work for at least a month. The horse will tell Bob when he is ready. The main aim is the Breeders’ Cup Classic again.”
UAE Derby winner Thunder Snow could be in line for a trip to Louisville in the next few days as Godolphin mull over whether to pitch him in to the Kentucky Derby next Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Godolphin have never won the “Run For the Roses”, and as they have ample ammunition to fire at the English 2,000 Guineas, run on the same day in Newmarket in England, it is expected that the Meydan winner will travel, perhaps as soon as on Sunday.
Speaking after Leader’s Legacy had won a maiden at Epsom on Tuesday, trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “I have trained him for the race but all options are still open: the Kentucky Derby, the English and French Guineas. The decision will be left to Sheikh Mohammed [bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai]. He will decide very, very soon.
“So far everything has gone well with him and the travel is no problem for him and the Kentucky Derby is the same day as the Guineas.
“If he goes he’d probably go about a week before the race, so it wouldn’t change anything.
“He’s working very well and we know he’s very good.”
Ascot racecourse revealed the initial entries for all eight of their Group 1 races for the royal meeting in June on Tuesday and a rerun of the thrilling Al Quoz Sprint between The Right Man and Long On Value appears on the cards.
The Right Man, trained in France by Didier Guillemin, edged out Bill Mott’s Long On Value by a nose in a pulsating contest at Meydan last month.
Bill Mott has yet to dispatch a horse to Royal Ascot, but the 63-year-old American is looking forward to the challenge.
“Long On Value travelled very well from Dubai and is back in training,” he said. “We haven’t given him a breeze yet, but he is cantering. He looks like he held his weight well and seems to be doing good after his trip.
“He has been nominated for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and it is very exciting as I have never been to Royal Ascot before.
“We are excited just to be able to participate.”
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