Arrogate wins Travers in record fashion

Saratoga Springs, NY

Arrogate ran away from the Travers field and set a new record in the process for the 1 1/4 mile distance on Saturday.

Trained by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old colt made his stakes debut a smashing one under jockey Mike Smith. 

Arrogate broke from post position one and set blazing fractions for the distance of :46, 1:10 and 1:35. He kicked clear to a 7 1/2 length margin down the stretch and took the Grade I event by a final count of 13 1/2 lengths.

Baffert lost this race last year with American Pharoah, but this year he not only got redemption, his colt broke a 37 year track record and set his own of 1:59.36 for the distance.

Arrogate was super impressive and left the 48,000 crowd buzzing after the victory. The star on this day returned $25.40 for the win.

American Freedom and Gun Runner rounded out a distant trifecta. While the favored Exaggerator didn't seem to be enjoy the footing and finished 11th.

This was Smith's third Travers Stakes victory and Baffert said Arrogate will be pointed towards the Breeder's Cup this coming November at Santa Anita.     

California Chrome unbelievable in Classic

Del Mar, CA

The biggest horse race of the Del Mar meet went to the best horse in the country.

California Chrome, the all-time leading money earner in North America, continued his legacy with a breathtaking performance in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday.

The 2014 Horse of the Year was sent to the lead by jockey Victor Espinoza and never gave the field a thought of catching him, after cruising through uncontested pace fractions of :23 and :47.

California Chrome finished 5 lengths clear at the wire of Beholder and another 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Dortmund. Chrome returned $4.20 to win and ran the 1 1/4 mile race in a stellar 2:00. With the voice of Del Mar, Trevor Denman, calling the winning performance "unbelievable."

Champion mare Beholder finished a valiant second, but the betting favorite didn't gave any competitors a chance. 

California Chrome, trained by Art Sherman, recorded victory number 14 from 23 starts and pushed his bankroll to more than $13 million. 

Espinoza also cashed in his first Pacific Classic win, after going winless in 15 attempts, calling Chrome "the best horse" he has ever ridden after the triumph. 

The smashing victory gave California Chrome the automatic berth to compete in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic set to run Nov. 5 at Santa Anita. 

Mondialiste just enough in Million

Arlington Heights, Illinois  

Mondialiste continued his strong performances in North America with a driving victory in the Arlington Million Stakes Saturday afternoon.

The Irish-bred was last seen in the U.S. running second in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Mile, and now battled his way to the winner's circle at Arlington Park.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope worked his way through traffic and put the son of Galileo in a clear path turning for home to take the lead for good in the final jumps.

Mondialiste took the Arlington Million by an official neck over Kasaqui, and Deauville finished another neck back third. Race favorite, World Approval gave way late and finished seventh. 

The opening fractions were not very quick in this event, :25 & :49, which made for a bunched field down the stretch, including many horses near the wire.

Mondialiste ended up running the 1 1/4 mile turf race in an even final time of 2:01 and returned a price of $10.80 to win.

With the victory Mondialiste earned a trip to the Breeders' Cup, set to take place in November at Santa Anita, and trainer David O'Meara said they plan on taking their winner to California to compete.

Frosted impressive in Whitney

Saratoga Springs, NY

Frosted took the $1.25 million Whitney stakes with ease over the Saratoga race course Saturday afternoon. 

The heavy post time favorite ran to his odds and dominated the field of six. The 4-year-old son of Tapit toyed with the other contenders, setting a fast pace under little stress, while kicking clear late under a hand ride by jockey Joel Rosario. 

Frosted entered the Whitney after a smashing 14+ length victory in the Met Mile, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's fear of a bounce was quickly put to rest when the favorite found himself cruising on the lead with ease down the backstretch.

The Kentucky bred, took the lead before the first quarter-mile from Upstart and never looked back. Setting quick fractions for the 9-furlong distance of :23, :46, 1:09, before putting the field away down the lane to finish a clear 2-lengths clear of Comfort in second.

Frosted returned $3.00 to win and ran the 1 1/8-mile race in a solid final time of 1:47.

Upstart completed the trifecta, finishing a half-length behind Comfort in third. with Effinex fourth.

Frosted has now earned more than $3.9 million and earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic. 

Surf meets turf at Del Mar

Del Mar, CA

Opening day of Del Mar, the unofficial San Diego holiday, was a welcomed sight on Friday. Over 42,000 were in attendance for the first Friday opener in 40 years.  The on-track crowd was the largest crowd of the year at a California racetrack and over 2K more than 2015.

The total handle was also higher. With over $16 million wagered, an increase of over a million dollars more than last year.

Jockey Santiago Gonzalez grabbed the early lead in the jockey standings with three wins. While Tyler Baze and Kent Desormeaux both had two victories.

Trainer Peter Miller and jockey Gary Stevens teamed up to win the traditional Opening Day Oceanside Stakes with Monster Bea. Returning $27.20 to win, ahead of Moolight Drive and Path of David.

Monster Bea was only in Miller's care for about week and Stevens helped rally the gelding from behind a quick pace to a clear victory late. 

The racing schedule continues at the seaside oval Wednesday - Sunday with a 2 p.m. first post.