Hallandale Beach, FL
The world's richest race crowned its first champion Saturday afternoon.
Arrogate, freshened from a star performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic in November, once again stole the show away from Horse of the Year California Chrome.
The three-year-old colt dominated the 12-horse field, opening up down the stretch, to take the $12 race by a geared down 4 3/4 lengths under jockey Mike Smith for trainer Bob Baffert.
Arrogate sat close to quick opening fractions of :23, :46 and 1:09 for the 1 1/8 mile distance and still had a lot left in reserve striking the front around the far turn to never look back.
"He's got some turn of foot; he's got some stride," Smith said.
Chrome weakened to ninth after being floated out wide, breaking from post 12, while getting injured in the race.
Trainer Art Sherman said the chestnut may have developed a chip in his right knee as he felt some heat on the front leg after the race. Monday, Taylor Made Farm said they were able to work on it and return Chrome home without a significant injury after looking at an X=Ray.
Shaman Ghost closed impressively to finish a clear second and Neolithic rounded out the Pegasus trifecta after also being part of the quick pace.
Arrogate is by far the next super horse for Baffert and returned $3.80 for the win, running the 1 1/8 in a solid time of 1:47.
California Chrome has officially retired as a two-time Horse of the Year and the highest earning thoroughbred in North America to Taylor Made Farm.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Arrogate will a get a break after another peak performance, but is no doubt the No. 1 horse in the world at the moment.