Arrogate, you're not Secretariat
March 25th, 2017, Dubai World Cup Night, Arrogate is the heavy favorite against an international star studded field that includes Gun Runner Lani, Keen Ice, and Mubtaahji. Arrogate misses the break, and is running at the back of the pack. He makes a sweeping move on the far turn, and blows by Gun Runner like he was standing still. His race, and the ease in which he won, was almost superhuman, it was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen. That night belonged to Arrogate. Bob Baffert was so happy and filled with joy. In a post race interview, Baffert called Arrogate the greatest horse since Secretariat.
Flash forward, July 21st, 2017, Arrogate is on top of the world. He's won seven straight races, including the Breeders Cup Classic, Pegasus World Cup, and Dubai World Cup. He's the all time leading earner in purse money, and he's the number one ranked horse in the world. On this day, Arrogate is getting ready to return to the races in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. He's been training good and confidence is high. Arrogate schools in the paddock like a boss. Then came July 22nd. I think you know where I'm going.
Arrogate comes out to the Del Mar track to the roar of the crowd, the fans, me included are excited. Arrogate is 1-9 and supposed to win by a mile. Then, in a shocker, Arrogate runs a giant clunker. He finishes 4th beaten fifteen lengths. The racing world was stunned, but no one more stunned then Bob Baffert. Baffert couldn't find any excuses, and really hoped to find one, but it turned out Arrogate just wasn't good that day.
Flash forward to today, Arrogate is the heavy favorite for the Pacific Classic. Baffert says he's training lights out and the field isn't the best he's ever faced. Baffert also enters another horse in Collected, who was three for three in 2017 and dominant in all his starts, but it's all about Arrogate for Baffert. Arrogate runs better, but loses to Collected, a one-two finish in a one million dollar race, Bob Baffert should be over the moon with joy. Instead, it was a look of disappointment and dejection. Disappointment that Arrogate lost again and dejection of Arrogate being not as good as before. There are a lot of questions that Bob Baffert will get over the next few days, one question I wanna ask, is Arrogate still better than Secretariat?
Secretariat was a triple crown winner, Arrogate was not, Secretariat holds world records at 1 1/8 and 1 1/2, Arrogate does not. Secretariat was Horse of the Year at age 2, Arrogate didn't run at age 2. When Bob Baffert called Arrogate the greatest horse since Secretariat, it was an insult to Silver Charm, Real Quiet, War Emblem, Point Given, Lookin at Lucky, and especially, American Pharoah, the horse he trained to win the triple crown. Given his last two races, I believe Bob Baffert may be regretting his words. I believe Secretariat would destroy Arrogate in a match race. So Arrogate, until you prove me wrong, you are not Secretariat.