Arrogate

Juddmonte Farms’ brilliant Arrogate, the number one ranked Thoroughbred in the world as well as the richest runner in North American racing history with a bankroll of more than $17 million, returns to action Saturday versus five rivals in the Grade II $300,000 TVG San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.

The four-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, riding the crest of a seven-race victory streak, figures to be an odds-on betting favorite when he faces Accelerate, El Huerfano, Donworth, Cat Burglar and Dalmore.

Arrogate, trained by Bob Baffert, will be conceding from eight to eleven pounds in the mile and one-sixteenth contest as he carries topweight of 126 in his first start since winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup, a triumph preceded by stellar performances in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Regular rider Mike Smith has the call on Arrogate. Other assignments are Victor Espinoza aboard Accelerate, 117; Evin Roman aboard El Huerfano, 115; Mario Gutierrez on Donworth, 116; Rafael Bejarano astride Cat Burglar, 118, a stablemate of Arrogate, and Kent Desormeaux on Dalmore, 115.

The San Diego Handicap, carded as the ninth race of a ten-race program, is part of a stakes doubleheader which also features the Grade II $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes at a mile and one-eighth over the infield grass course. The San Diego is a prelude to the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 19.

Entrants in the Read, the fourth race on the program, are Mr. Roary, 120, Santiago Gonzalez; Hunt, 120, Flavien Prat; Kenjisstorm, 120, Bejarano; Wanstead Gardens, 120, Tyler Baze; Up With The Birds, 120, Jamie Theriot, Ashleyluvssugar, 122, Gary Stevens, and Abbey Vale, 120, Kyle Frey.

Probable Read favorite is Ashleyluvssugar, generally considered the outstanding grass horse in the West. The Game Plan gelding won the Del Mar Handicap last summer and was a two-time stakes winner at Santa Anita this winter.

Post time for the first race Saturday is 2 p.m.