Top Trainer Bob Baffert Talking Del Mar

Having trained 4 Kentucky Derby winners, 6 Preakness Stakes winners and 2 Belmont Stakes champions, Bob Baffert knows winning horses, and right now Baffert has the sports greatest winner in his stable at Del Mar Race Track.

“He’s considered the best horse in the world right now.”

That’s what Baffert said about his latest and maybe his all-time greatest winner, a 4 year old male named Arrogate.

With over $17 million in career earnings, Arrogate is the all-time leading earner for horses in North America, and he’s won all that cash in just 8 races.

“He’s a horse that the further they go, the stronger he gets and he’s just a tremendous closer, “ said Baffert when asked what make Arrogate such a winner.

Arrogate made his debut April 17th, 2016 at Los Alamitos and finished 3rd, since then he’s won every start, seven straight wins and counting.  Among Arrogates’ victories the Travis Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup, the Pegasus Cup and the Dubai World Cup.

With each win, Arrogate moves up the ladder of greatest horses of all-time.

Here’s what Baffert said when asked where Arrogate ranks in horse hierarchy.

 “The bar has always been Secretariat, I  think American Pharoah and Arrogate are the closest I’ve come to a horse like Secretariat.  These horses don’t come around very often.”

The plan is for Arrogate to race twice in the summer season at Del Mar, first in the San Diego Handicap on July 22nd, then in the Pacific Classic on August 19th.  If all goes well, Arrogate will race again at Del Mar in the November Breeders’ Cup.

“He’s done all the spectacular things, so this is more like the Arrogate Tour.  He just shipped to Del Mar this week and looks great on the track, his last races will be here at Del Mar.”

While Arrogate will wind down his career at Del Mar, the race track itself shows no signs of slowing down.  Opening Day on July 19th marks the 78th season of horse racing at Del Mar.

Baffert has been all over the world at the biggest and best horse racing events and parties, he say’s few places stack up to opening day at Del Mar.

“It’s a big party, it’s Coachella without bands, basically that’s what it is.  Opening day is on everybody’s bucket list.  I have a lot of friends that week because everybody wants tickets, it’s a scene that everybody wants to enjoy.”

From the parties to the ponies, it figures to another super season at Del Mar, and maybe an historic season if Arrogate and Baffert continue their winning ways.

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