Arrogate runs down California Chrome in Breeders' Cup Classic

Published Nov. 15, 2016 1:41 p.m. ET

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Barry Werner

Arrogate, the 2016 Travers winner, ran down California Chrome in the final strides of Saturday's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.

Five-year-old California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza were looking to complete a perfect season. They led for almost the entire mile-and-a-quarter but Mike Smith and Arrogate ground away at their lead, finally moving to the front in the shadow of the wire.

The victory was the 25th Breeders Cup race for Smith, who also captured the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Friday with Beholder.

"He was just loping around," trainer Bob Baffert said of Arrogate. "I thought there was no chance coming for home he would catch Chrome. He is such a great horse.

"I was surprised I beat him. I didn't think I could beat him going in."

Baffert has won the Classic three years in a row with Arrogate, American Pharoah in 2015 and Bayern the year before.

"We got outrun on the fair," Chrome trainer Art Sherman said. "All horses get beat. He's still the best horse I've ever had."

California Chrome, who was sent off as the favorite went right to the front in the $6 million race. Melatonin sat off his flank with Frosted in third.

The half mile went in an easy 47 seconds flat.

Espinoza had Chrome on a two-length lead, moving away from Melatonin and was on the lead at the top of the stretch.

Arrogate moved toward California Chrome in the lane and gradually wore down the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ.

Arrogate was the second choice and returned $5.40.

The Classic concluded two days of Breeders' Cup racing at Santa Anita.

There was great drama in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Friday, as Beholder nosed previously unbeaten Songbird at the wire in a thrilling race.

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