Baffert's Quiet Confidence Pays Off

All week long I pondered who I thought would win the Travers Stakes. I was stumped. I honestly had no idea, I thought it was anyone’s race. In my opinion, every horse was pretty evenly matched, except for a few. Little did I know, there was a champion ready to unleash his talent.

I wish I could say I wasn’t amazed when I witnessed Arrogate dominating down the stretch; for a moment I had to think who the heck that horse was way out in front? No horse was even close, and no one had half a chance to catch him. That’s the thrill of horse racing though, you never know what’s going to happen.

Most people wrote Arrogate off because Baffert’s statistics at Saratoga weren’t fantastic. I can’t count the number of social media posts and conversations I saw about people not picking Arrogate or American Freedom, simply because of Baffert’s lack of luck here at the Spa. Baffert won the Travers Stakes (Gr.1) with Point Given in 2001, and went 0 for 5 in the following years. The numbers weren’t flattering, but you can’t win them all, and one thing is for sure, you can never count Baffert out. American Pharoah’s loss was heartbreaking to fans and to Bob Baffert himself. But this year, he was back to avenge his loss, and clearly he knew what a dominant duo he was bringing to the East Coast.

Flying under the radar, was a gray/roan colt with a hard head and an attitude like he knew he was something special. Arrogate, by Unbridled’s Song delivered a freak performance that left even his biggest supporters in awe. With just allowance wins and a maiden win under his belt, he was lost in the midst of the second and third place Kentucky Derby (Gr.1) finishers in Exaggerator and Gun Runner, the Jim Dandy (Gr.2) winner Laoban, and the superstition that Baffert was not successful at Saratoga. Even Bejarano opted to ride American Freedom instead of Arrogate. Beaming behind the scenes though, was Baffert. He picked the colt out himself at the Keeneland September sale for $560,000, and his undying confidence in the horse showed this weekend.

Arrogate flew out of the gate and quickly went to the lead setting blistering fractions. His opening quarter mile was :23.23, then :46.84, 1:10.85, 1:35.52, and a final time of 1:59.36, the fastest Travers Stakes ever, and the fastest mile and a quarter ever at Saratoga. He earned a Beyer speed figure of 122, the best Beyer by a three year old horse this year. To finish so strong and fast after setting such a blazing pace is remarkable. His 13 ½ length romp looked effortless, his stride lengthened all the way to the finish line.

Baffert won the King’s Bishop (Gr.1) with Drefong before the Travers, and finished second to Arrogate with American Freedom. My hat is off to Bob Baffert, not only is he a terrific horsemen, but an absolute class act. To have a Triple Crown winner last year, and possibly emerging with the best three year old of this year, as well, is outstanding.

With dreams of one day being a trainer, Baffert is undoubtedly one of my heroes. Thanks to Bob for the countless horses we fall in love with, in a sport that is always needing heroes; Baffert always provides, just that.