Arrogate Shows Brilliance in Travers Stakes

Arrogate Delivers Jaw Dropping Performance in Travers

By: Ciara Bowen & Claudia L. Ruiz

Track-goers had been talking about Arrogate prior to his arrival at Saratoga. A colt within the Baffert barn had turned heads rounding out Santa Anita’s Spring meet, and rumors of his potential began to circulate. His ultimate goal: to run with the very best in the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re IN” Challenge Series, winning the Travers Stakes means securing a spot in the $6Million Breeders’ Cup Classic scheduled for November 5. If ever there was a chance to get in, connections of the colt knew this was it.

On Saturday, August 27, comments were tinged with doubt as Arrogate headed into the starting gate for the 147th renewal of the Gr.1 Travers. The colt was untested in stakes, had only been up against small fields, and was facing the likes of Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator and Belmont Stakes winner Creator. But go big or go home.

When the gates swung open, Arrogate proved a little ambition goes a long way. Leading a field of 14 in gate-to-wire fashion, the son of Unbridled’s Song galloped to a jaw-dropping 13 ½ length victory, stopping the clock at 1:59.36 — the fastest Travers Stakes in history, and also a new track record.

Hall of Fame members paired up for the race, as trainer Bob Baffert sent Arrogate out with Mike Smith in the irons. The veteran horseman got his mount out of the gate quickly and the pair went straight to the lead. They ticked off quick fractions, going through a quarter in :23.23, a half-mile in :46.84, and three-quarters in 1:10.85. Coming around the final turn, Arrogate began to draw away, gliding smoothly over the famed — and often treacherous — dirt of Saratoga. Stablemate American Freedom finished far behind in second, while Gun Runner and Gift Box took third and fourth, respectively.

“I rode his father,” jockey Mike Smith said, referencing Arrogate’s sire, Unbridled’s Song. “He was an extremely talented racehorse, but I’m starting to think [Arrogate] might be more talented than him. We were flying on the stretch and he didn’t want to stop on the gallop out, he wanted to keep going.”

All the jockey needed to do was send the colt out. “Before the race, I asked Jimmy Barnes if I needed to do anything and all he said to me was, ‘as long as you get him out of the gate, he’ll win.'” Sure enough, that’s all it took. “I got after him and he really responded. I didn’t expect that kind of effort, I don’t think anyone did, but wow! It was unbelievable.”

Smith has ridden legends and won some of the biggest races in the sport. A little over a week ago, the Hall of Famer piloted undefeated Songbird to a 7-length win in the Gr.1 Alabama, and now this. “To come to Saratoga and win the Alabama on Songbird, and then come back one week later and win the Travers is a jockey’s dream come true. Not to mention winning on Drefong in the King’s Bishop just before, I still can’t wrap my head around it. I am so thankful to the connections for giving me the opportunity to ride this colt. I am truly blessed.”

Confidence was high in the Baffert barn when it came to Arrogate and American Freedom shipping east. Trainer Bob Baffert had been talking up his colt for weeks leading into the race, but maintained a modest outlook. “We started him late to take care of some things and it’s worked out well,” Baffert explained. As a 2-year-old, Arrogate underwent surgery to remove some bone chips and was then given time to heal, recover and get fit again.

“Mike Smith knows his way around this track. When I heard 46 and change, I thought, ‘I think they can handle that.’ He ran a great race, both of my horses did. To win for Juddmonte, a race like the Travers, that’s big for me.”

Returning to Saratoga with his head held high after American Pharoah’s devastating loss last year to Keen Ice, Baffert sought redemption. The Triple Crown winning trainer sent out a total of four horses, two galloping to Grade 1 wins (Arrogate in the Travers and Drefong in the King’s Bishop), and a third rendering a runner-up effort (American Freedom in the Travers).

“We’re very proud of our horses,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes commented via text message. “It was a huge weekend for us.”

Named after one of Saratoga’s founders, William R. Travers, The Travers is horse racing’s oldest stakes race, dating all the way back to 1864. It’s one of the most prestigious races and highest of accolades in Thoroughbred racing. Greats such as Whirlaway (1941 Triple Crown winner), Alydar, and Runaway Groom have galloped to triumphant victories in the race that is regarded as the “Midsummer Derby.”

Bred by Clearsky Farms and purchased by Juddmonte Farms Inc. for $560,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2014, Arrogate has made $784,000 since his debut in April 2016. Breaking his maiden second time out (by 4 ½ lengths), he has won 4 consecutive starts since — the Travers being his first stakes/graded attempt.

Breaking General Assembly’s 1 ¼ mile track and stakes record (set in 1979), Arrogate’s Travers performance will rank as one of the most impressive races of all time and is now permanently engraved into the history books. There’s no saying how long we’ll have to wait to witness another 3-year-old gallop to a more brilliant outcome. It may be two years, it may be 50, or it may never happen again.