By Ben Massam
With 6-5 morning line favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) and 7-5 second choice Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) now both on the grounds and live racing underway, there was noticeably more activity on the Gulfstream Park backstretch Wednesday as Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational looms. Both California Chrome and Arrogate, who finished second and first, respectively, in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 5, demonstrated an abundance of energy in their morning gallops.
'Chrome' ended his gallop on the clubhouse turn and subsequently walked back down the homestretch toward the paddock. The chestnut stopped and stood in the saddling enclosure on his way to and from the walking ring, where he completed a few circuits before departing. The two-time Horse of the Year paused momentarily at the end of the walkway to the paddock before making his way back to the barn area.
It was 'TDN Rising Star' Arrogate's turn to acquaint himself with the local strip shortly after the first renovation break, and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero made a decidedly favorable impression, galloping 1 1/2 miles with good spirit. The imposing gray arrived from California Tuesday afternoon (for more, see “Arrogate His 'Normal Self' at Gulfstream”).
Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) and War Envoy (War Front) also made their first appearances over the Gulfstream strip this week, coming on to the track at nearly the same time as Arrogate. Both Pegasus entrants galloped one circuit of the oval.
The Palm Beach Downs contingent of Todd Pletcher-trained Keen Ice (Curlin) and Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) and Reade Baker's Breaking Lucky (Lookin At Lucky) all shipped down to Gulfstream Wednesday and are expected to train Thursday morning.
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