MIAMI (AFP) – Arrogate romped to victory in the first running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, as California Chrome failed to shine in the world’s richest horse race.
Arrogate had triumphed over Chrome in a Breeders’ Cup Classic thriller at Santa Anita in November, but the rematch was all Arrogate.
Wide at the first turn, Chrome moved toward the middle and traveled alongside Arrogate just off the early pace.
Smith made a move as they passed the half-mile pole, but when Victor Espinoza asked California Chrome to step up he got no response and Arrogate powered alone through the stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Shaman Ghost with Neolithic third.
‘’I’m so relieved,’’ said Arrogate trainer Bob Baffert. ‘’Down the backside he was trapped in there.
‘’When he started making that move I knew right there … what a superior horse he is.
Chrome won hearts with Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories in 2014 but fell short of a Triple Crown with a fourth place finish in the Belmont Stakes.