Arrogate Soars in Pegasus World Cup

The inaugural $12-million GI Pegasus World Cup had a dozen runners, but was billed as a two-horse affair from the start with the highly anticipated rematch of GI Breeders' Cup Classic top two Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). With the real California Chrome failing to show up, the Pegasus proved to be truly a one-horse show Saturday afternoon as “TDN Rising Star” Arrogate simply crushed his competition, romping by a geared-down 4 3/4 lengths in a stunning performance just five days after being crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse.

Dual Classic winner California Chrome got the morning-line nod, but it was Arrogate who went off as the 4-5 favorite when the gates sprung with Chrome the 6-5 second-choice. Away alertly from his rail draw, Arrogate was out-footed by the fleet Noble Bird (Birdstone) in the initial strides and saved ground in a close-up third heading into the first turn. California Chrome was hustled from the 12-hole to establish position right outside Juddmonte's newly crowned champion 3-year-old and the stage appeared set for the match race everyone expected.

The reigning Horse of the Year remained glued to Arrogate's flank as Noble Bird ticked off an opening quarter in :23.46 with Starlight Racing's Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) hot on his tail in second, just under a length ahead of the top two betting choices. Just after a half-mile went up in :46.14, California Chrome seemed to be stalling a bit and Victor Espinoza began to scrub on his mount. At the three-eighths pole it was all over as Hall of Famer Mike Smith gave Arrogate his head and the gray instantly surged clear of Chrome and drew alongside Neolithic and Noble Bird.

Noble Bird immediately accepted defeat, fading back along the rail and California Chrome began to do the same while racing out wide. The steadily improving Neolithic courageously tried to run with the mighty Arrogate, but that lasted for only a few strides. The Bob Baffert pupil swiftly closed the door on that overmatched foe and cruised clear under a hand ride to dominate the world's richest horse race in an effortless performance.

Pegasus creator Frank Stronach's GI Woodward S. winner Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) came charging late to be second and Neolithic held on for third over his Grade I-winning stablemate Keen Ice (Curlin).

As Arrogate powered clear at the three-eighths pole, California Chrome began to retreat. Failing to show his usual brilliance, the four-time Eclipse winner appeared uncomfortable turning for home and cantered along one-paced while out wide. Jockey Victor Espinoza did not persist with his mount in the stretch once he saw his chances were over and California Chrome crossed the finish line ninth of the 12.

“You know, what? He's a superior horse. He's just a great horse,” an emotional Baffert commented to the track's media team after the race. “He broke well, as well as he could. He just ran his race. I kept waiting for the matchup with Chrome, but he just didn't bring his race today. It's too bad.”

The Hall of Famer continued, “We expected to win, but he got a little tired at the end., He probably needed it badly.”

“Once I got out going into the far turn I knew we were going to be very tough to beat,” Smith remarked. “He had a lot of run today and I was very happy. As far as winning the world's richest race, I'm absolutely numb.”

A Star From the Start

Arrogate has just one blemish to his remarkable record, a close third after a slow start in his six-panel unveiling at Los Alamitos Apr. 17. Extended to 1 1/16 miles next out at Santa Anita June 5, the $560,000 KEESEP buy proved added distance was just what he needed with a front-running 4 1/2-length graduation under Rafael Bejarano. Going from gate-to-wire to score by 5 1/4 lengths next out in a first-level allowance over that track and trip June 24, the gray proved best yet again at Del Mar Aug. 4.

That trio of dominant victories gave Baffert the confidence to step Arrogate up to the big leagues and he shipped him to Saratoga to test the waters in a competitive renewal of the 10-furlong GI Travers S. Aug. 27 that included GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator (Curlin) and GI Belmont S. Creator (Tapit). Sent off at 11-1, the highest odds of his career, Arrogate put on the show of a lifetime. Seizing immediate control and never looking back, the Juddmonte runner cruised home a 13 1/2-length winner, shattering the track record set by General Assembly in the process.

Baffert followed the same routine he had with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) the year before and trained his charge up to the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Installed as the second-choice behind California Chrome, who was having a perfect 2016 season, Arrogate employed his massive stride to reel in his elder in the final strides and score by a half-length in what was billed as the World's Best Race of 2016 by Longines.

Arrogate was the overwhelming winner of the Eclipse Award for 2016's top sophomore male and was also a finalist in the Horse of the Year category ultimately won by California Chrome. However, he scored one point higher than his rival on the Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings just a few days later.

Pedigree Notes:

Arrogate is the first foal out of four-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Bubbler. The 11-year-old mare has since produced a juvenile filly by Medaglia d'Oro, who summoned $300,000 from John and Leslie Malone's Bridlewood Farm at Keeneland September; and a yearling filly by Giant's Causeway. Clearsky Farm's Bubbler RNA'd for $4.7 million carrying a foal by Into Mischief at the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Arrogate's third dam is champion and six-time Grade I winner Meadow Star (Meadowlake) and he also hails from the family of dual Grade I winner Belle Gallantey (After Market).

A Modern-Day Racing Experience on Pegasus Day

by Ben Massam

Gulfstream Park was the epitome of a new age racetrack on its biggest day, catering to racegoers with a multi-level entertainment experience throughout the day. With a band welcoming visitors to the paddock-side entrance and more performances located throughout the facility, visitors reveled in a beautiful winter day in South Florida. As has been the case since the grandstand was rebuilt on a smaller scale, the racetrack feeling was decidedly intimate, with music and racing overlapping to create a festival atmosphere.

Among the novel ideas on display at the track was a “selfie station,” in which patrons could pose for a photo with the Pegasus World Cup trophy in the winner's circle in exchange for a $5 donation to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in nearby Hollywood. Pegasus souvenirs were made available on all levels of the track, and the apron of the racetrack nearly resembled a beach bar situated along the homestretch. The second and third floors of the grandstand had parties in the track's Christine Lee's and Ten Palms restaurants, while others were welcomed to a celebration on the roof of the building.

As anticipation built prior to the featured race, more spectators lined the rail, but at no point did the grandstand feel uncomfortable or crowded. The race itself went off with considerable fanfare, with throngs of spectators on hand to catch a glimpse of the two favorites. Arrogate emerged a definitive winner–and perhaps an all-time great Thoroughbred–but the crowd paid homage to 'Chrome' with a round of applause when he returned to be unsaddled. The victor was met with a loud cheer as well, capping off a groundbreaking day at Gulfstream Park.

Gulfstream Sets All-Time Handle Record

Gulfstream Park set an all-time handle record of $40,217 million Saturday on its 12-race GI Pegasus World Cup program. The previous record of $32.082 million was set last year on GI Florida Derby day, which had a 14-race card.

“We are extremely pleased with the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup,” said P.J. Campo, Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group and General Manager of Gulfstream Park. “From early morning until late afternoon, Gulfstream was electric. From the amenities to our guests to the blue carpet to the incredible performance by Arrogate, the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational was incredible. We feel we introduced a number of new fans to the sport of Thoroughbred racing and the great entertainment and amenities at Gulfstream Park on Pegasus World Cup Day. We want to thank the fans who came out, the horsemen who support our program, and the incredible performances by our human and equine athletes.”

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
PEGASUS WORLD CUP INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $12,000,000, GP, 1-28, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:47.61, ft.
1–ARROGATE, 124, c, 4, by Unbridled's Song
1st Dam: Bubbler (MSW & GSP, $211,622), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Grechelle, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: Meadow Star, by Meadowlake
'TDN Rising Star' ($560,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Juddmonte
Farms Inc.; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Mike E.
Smith. $7,000,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo, 7-6-0-1,
$11,084,600. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Shaman Ghost, 124, h, 5, Ghostzapper">Ghostzapper–Getback Time, by
Gilded Time. O-Stronach Stables; B-Adena Springs (ON);
T-James A. Jerkens. $1,750,000.
3–Neolithic, 124, c, 4, Harlan's Holiday–Swingit, by Victory
Gallop. ($460,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Starlight Racing; B-Edwin
Anthony (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $1,000,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, 3HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 19.80, 23.40.
Also Ran: Keen Ice, War Story, Noble Bird, Semper Fortis, Breaking Lucky, California Chrome, Prayer for Relief, War Envoy, Eragon (Arg). Scratched: Stanford, Sea Raven, Madefromlucky.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.