Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Arrogate’s blowout victory in Pegasus nets $7 million
California Chrome, field overwhelmed
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Arrogate was barely running when he crossed the finish line in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, and the same could be said for California Chrome.
In Arrogate’s case, the day’s work was done. In Chrome’s case, the career’s work was done, and he is headed to start his stud career in Kentucky.
Leaving no doubt as to who is now the sport’s biggest star, Arrogate and jockey Mike Smith rolled to victory in the inaugural running of the Pegasus on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Arrogate won the richest race ever by 4¾ lengths over Shaman Ghost, and the only reason it was that close is because Smith eased up on Arrogate long before the wire. He was dominant. California Chrome was dominated, finishing ninth and beaten by 29½ lengths.
“Chrome just didn’t fire his race today at all,” Smith said. “Believe me, that’s not the California Chrome I know.”
That surely didn’t matter to Arrogate’s connections, after the horse won his sixth straight race — the last three of the Grade 1 variety, with the Travers followed by the Breeders’ Cup Classic and now the Pegasus. He came in with lifetime earnings of $4,084,600, and added $7 million to that by finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.61.
“It’s great to be here,” said Bob Baffert, Arrogate’s trainer. “I never thought I’d be here in a $12 million race.”
Arrogate edged California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup last fall, and the two were stride-for-stride in much of the early going Saturday. It looked as if it might shape up as the match race many envisioned, with the stars dueling to the end.
That never happened. California Chrome was laboring, and when Smith got Arrogate to the front, it was over.
California Chrome, the 2014 and 2016 Horse of the Year, would have been the first thoroughbred in history to earn over $20 million had he prevailed. It was the first time California Chrome finished lower than third in his last 13 starts, and he never was worse than sixth in any of his previous 26 starts.
“He didn’t look real comfortable,” California Chrome trainer Art Sherman said. “He didn’t break as sharp as he usually does and then he got hung out so wide. But down the backside he had no excuse. … He looked like he was listless. I don’t know why. This is the first bad race he’s ever run for me.”
Arrogate returned $3.80 to his win bettors. Shaman Ghost was second and picked up $1.75 million, and Neolithic was third for $1 million in purse money.
Gulfstream’s handle for the day was $40.2 million, $8 million more than last year’s Florida Derby brought to the track.