Arrogate beats California Chrome in thriller

Arrogate ran California Chrome down in the shadow of the post to grab the spoils in a renewal of the Breeders' Cup Classic that truly lived up to its billing as a duel for the ages.

Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome set easy fractions in front and Victor Espinoza looked to have matters under control as he went for home.

Art Sherman's superstar opened up a gap on the Khalid Abdullah-owned Arrogate, but the young pretender would not be denied under Mike Smith, to give trainer Bob Baffert a third Classic victory in a row.

Baffert said: "I was a bit worried, he was just loping around. I thought 'Man, I hope I have him fit enough'.

"When Chrome was out there cruising, I thought no way he's going to catch him, he's going to run second, but at least he showed up.

"Then all of a sudden, Mike's riding and he's catching up little by little with that big stride kicking in. I felt like when Trevor (Denman) says 'this is un-believe-able.' I never thought he would be able to catch Chrome."

"It takes a lot to get me excited and that was some race."

Sherman was gracious in defeat and pointed towards the Pegasus World Cup invitational at Gulfstream Park in January as being the final race of California Chrome's career.

He said: "I'm very proud of the way he ran and there are no excuses. What can I say, he ran his eyeballs out.

"He ran his race, but just got beat in those last couple of jumps.

"That winner (Arrogate) is the real McCoy. I knew he was the one we had to beat, but I didn't know how good he was.

"We had no excuses. He broke so darn good that I figured we'd be in front early. The fractions were fine.

"When we were in front turning for home, I thought he'd win, because he usually hangs on. He's been so good all year long, but it just shows that you can't win every race.

"He will be back for sure."

Espinoza said: "I am so proud of him, he ran a great race. Maybe in hindsight I should have let him roll a bit earlier. We have had our ups and downs, and I know what it's like to be down and then come back.

"He was cruising, but we've probably met a good horse today."

The pair finished a chasm clear of third-home Keen Ice, whose trainer Todd Pletcher bemoaned a lack of pace.

"The pace didn't really develop quite the way we thought it would," he said.

"We were hoping they'd mix it up more than they did. I thought he put in a good, long sustained run. He showed some guts and fought hard for third and showed some guts."

Javier Castellano, who rode Keen Ice, added: "I'm very satisfied with the way he ran today. It was a good third place to the best horses in the country."