Collected became racing’s newest millionaire on Saturday when he bested stablemate Arrogate by a half-length in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.
For Bob Baffert, Collected’s win took some of the sting off of heavily-favored Arrogate’s second-place effort.
"Arrogate—at least he tried today," Baffert said. "He's getting there, but I think that when I ran him in the San Diego it messed up his psyche a little bit. I don't think I have a problem bringing him back in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). But he's got to be fresh, just like Collected came in here fresh. And Collected is a very good horse."
Collected has indeed been very good in 2017, winning all four of his starts, all stakes, three of them graded. His overall record stands at 8-1-0 in 11 starts with earnings of $1,260,500.
Fastest away out of the gate in Saturday’s 1 ¼-mile contest, Collected set all the fractions, with Accelerate right alongside. Arrogate, who was in third most of the way, took up the chase in the stretch, by could get no closer than the final margin. The winner completed the course in 2:00.70 on a fast track.
"If you ask for a dream trip, it was that Collected wins and Arrogate shows up," Collected’s owner Peter Flour said. "I told Bob before the race, 'I hope you run 1-2, but I have a preference.'"
Collected and Arrogate are likely to meet each other again in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which also will be held at Del Mar.
Collected gave Baffert his fifth Pacific Classic win, one behind the record of six held by Bobby Frankel.