By Ed McNamara
Arklow – Photo Courtesy of Coglianese Photography
Winner of the 2019 Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont Park, Arklow rarely runs a bad race and deserves serious consideration in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1). He was only 1-for-7 last year but was second three times and third once in graded stakes.
His eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) is better than it looks, because he was only 2¾ lengths behind superstar Bricks and Mortar after covering the most ground in the race, according to the Trakus timing system. He’s been very competitive in top company from 1 1/16 to two miles, and the turnback to 1 3/16 miles should suit him well.
Brad Cox, a rising star, is one of the three finalists for the training Eclipse Award, and his horses always deserve a close look. Arklow has stamina and enough tactical speed to stalk a slow to moderate pace, and he can rally off quicker fractions.
Arklow
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owners: Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway
Career record: 24-6-6-2
Career earnings: $1,816,382
Pedigree: Arch-Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker
Age: 6
Running style: Midpack/rallier
Handicapping Insights:
“Versatile veteran could finish in the money with a decent trip, and a victory would be no shock.” – Ed McNamara
“Seems to do his best running at Belmont, topped by his Turf Classic win, but seems far too inconsistent to trust in a spot like this.” – Noel Michaels
Notes: Cox’s take: “Arklow is doing really well right now. He’s always been a horse that we thought would get better with age. I do think he’s set up for a big year.” … Donegal Racing often gives its horses Irish names. Arklow is a town in County Wicklow, on Ireland’s east coast, south of Dublin. It was settled by the Vikings in the ninth century … Like the Vikings, Arklow has prospered from traveling extensively, having finished in the money 14 times at five tracks in three states.
| Horse | Owner | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Office | Amerman Racing | Brian Lynch |
| Arklow | Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, Peter Coneway | Brad Cox |
| Channel Cat | Calumet Farm | Todd Pletcher |
| Henley’s Joy | Bloom Racing Stable | Michael Maker |
| Instilled Regard | OXO Equine | Chad Brown |
| Magic Wand | Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier | Aidan O’Brien |
| Mo Forza | Bardy Farm, OG Boss | Peter Mille |
| Next Shares | Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Christopher Dunn, Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan, Ritchie Robershaw, Mark Taylor |
Richard Baltas |
| Sacred Life | Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables | Chad Brown |
| Sadler’s Joy | Woodslane Farm | Tom Albertrani |
| Without Parole | John D. Gunther, Tanya Gunther | Chad Brown |
| Zulu Alpha | Michael Hui | Michael Maker |
| Horse | Owner | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| American Tattoo | Calumet Farm, John Anthony Stables | Todd Pletcher |
| Mr. Misunderstood | Flurry Racing Stables | Brad Cox |
| Synchrony | Pin Oak Stable | Michael Stidham |
| Tusk | Jordan V. Wycoff | Saffie Joseph, Jr. |
For more information/tickets: PegasusWorldCup.com
