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Arrogate will look to defend his Breeders Cup Classic title as he comes into this 2017 race as a co-favorite with Gun Runner.
Already the all-time leading money winner among North American thoroughbreds, a victory would add a $6 million purse to his career earnings of $17.3 million in what is expected to be the last race of his illustrious career, Reuters reports.
Arrogate was coming in at 2/1 odds for a potential to pay out $200 for every $100 bet.
Trainer Bob Baffert said he expects a return to form for Arrogate when he runs the 1 1/4 mile (2km) race at the scenic oceanside track.
“I think he will run well,” he said on Thursday.
Baffert is also the trainer for Collected, who defeated Arrogate by a length in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 19.
His concern is not with Collected per se but with the Steve Asmussen-trained four-year-old colt Gun Runner, technically the favorite at 9/5 odds on the Saturday morning line.
“This track is made for a horse like Collected or Gun Runner, where they can get out there and their speed is dangerous. They can zip around those turns,” Baffert acknowledged.
“Gun Runner is the horse to beat,” he said.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
