Arrogate better than American Pharoah? It's Too Soon to Say

Arrogate is a monster. Of that, there can be no doubt. His last three races, the Travers, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Pegasus World Cup, were stuff of legend, but is he better than American Pharoah? I’m just not ready to say that.

After seeing the glowing comments that came rolling in after his big win on Saturday, it’s quite clear that the racing world is enthralled with the powerhouse son of Unbridled’s Song. That’s great. More power to him. I am a fan, as well. I was a bit taken back, though, at the number of people -- fans and experts alike -- ready and willing to anoint him the best thing in a long, long time. I understand we live in a ‘what have you done for me lately’ world, but I found it just a little bit disrespectful to American Pharoah.

Bob Baffert, the most blessed trainer on the planet since Lucien Laurin was given Riva Ridge and Secretariat to work with in back-to-back years more than four decades ago, rightly will not say that one is better than the other. I have no such restrictions.

American Pharoah is a Triple Crown winner. One of only 12 in American racing history, and the only one we’ve had in the past 39 years. That must count for something. 

More than that, though, what he accomplished in a little over a calendar year was nothing short of exceptional. Like Arrogate, he was beaten in his first career start, but unlike Arrogate, he did not hang around in maiden or allowance races for long. In fact, he became a Grade 1 winner in his second career start, when he won the Del Mar Futurity by open lengths. It was the beginning of something very good.

Ten races, nine wins kind of good. Nine of the ten were in Grade 1 company. The other was a Grade 2. Of the ten, eight were won by American Pharoah in dominating style. The only close ones were the Kentucky Derby and the Travers. In the Derby, he proved best after a very wide trip. The Travers, of course was his only loss in the bunch, and it was a race in which he was game as could be.

Perhaps some are still sore that he retired before racing at four. I get that, but the reason we wanted to see him return to the racetrack at four so badly, was because of how good he was at two, and at three. Can you imagine what a bigger and stronger version of American Pharoah may have looked like at four?

Is Arrogate better than American Pharoah? Not now. Not yet. I believe saying that he is, would be premature.

Comparing horses that never raced against each other is generally a futile act, but on the other hand it makes for interesting discussion. The two Baffert-trained superstars followed very different paths. In fact, other than their trainer, and wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, their respective racing careers have little in common.

Arrogate was a late bloomer, doing his best running in the second-half of his sophomore season, and beyond. By the time he made his stakes debut, American Pharoah, at the same stage in his career, had already accounted for seven Grade 1 victories.

American Pharoah was a two-time champion. Arrogate has not accomplished that yet. American Pharoah was a Horse of the Year. That honor has not been bestowed upon Arrogate, as of yet. American Pharoah was a nine-time graded stakes winner. So far, Arrogate has three.

You may read this column, and believe that I am putting down Arrogate. That is not my intention at all. Both his accomplishments in a short amount of time, as well as his potential, are off the charts. Rather this is all about American Pharoah, who I believe established himself as an all-time great before his retirement. Arrogate simply does not have the achievements to be placed at his level, yet.

Will Arrogate be better than American Pharoah someday? Certainly, that day could come, but his career is still very much a work in progress. He will need to build upon a very fantastic foundation that he has built in his last three races, though, to be remembered in history in such standing as American Pharoah. I wish him all the best.