Pegasus World Cup Invitational, an Ali-Holmes Laced Retrospective

B"H

GULFSTREAM PARK -- Hallandale Beach, FL

"...While visions of Muhammad Ali versus Larry Holmes played in my head;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, ..."

California Chrome and Arrogate  -- the suspected match-race nigh even-moolah tandem at post-time  -- found each-other fromst 'cross a crowded room, and did-so early-on. Even though Arrogate broke fast from the one-slot and Chromie a tick more slowly and from the 12th; all which served to make their quick connection so much more the fodder for a promised and epic tale. And it felt for a moment like... like... and then came them above-mentioned visions doth dancing in my head.

As they turned for the stretch, Arrogate, abscess in right hind leg or not, found an extra gear that the six year-old Chromie couldn't meet his four year-old adversary in. As it turnt out, each champion steed was eased at the end. California eased out of the race by Mr. Victor Espinoza and into pony-playing history books and out to stud, finishing ninth and beaten by 29 1/2 lengths. Whilst Mr. Mike Smith noted humbly and almost apologetically that Arrogate was on equine cruise control the final football field length. He ran the inaugural world's richest mile and an eighth in 1:47, did the grey/roan -- fast 'nuff to win by 4 1/2 lengths and too thrill trainer Bob Baffert from his potential post American Pharoah doldrums.

"Chrome just didn't fire his race today at all," Hall of Fame jock Mr. Smith said via USA Today "Believe me, that's not the California Chrome I know."

CC's trainer Mr. Art Sherman concurred: "He didn't look real comfortable," & continued, "he didn't break as sharp as he usually does and then he got hung out so wide. But down the backside he had no excuse. ... He looked like he was listless. I don't know why. This is the first bad race he's ever run for me."

Arrogate won his connections $7M and parimutuel partakers $3.80 $2.80 $2.20. Shaman Ghost $1.75M & $8.60 $5.80, Neolithic $1M & $6.00. Following in order of finish were: Keen Ice, War Story, Noble Bird, Semper Fortis, Breaking Lucky, California Chrome, Prayer for Relief, War Envoy, and ...*

Misters Muhammad Ali v Larry Holmes was billed as "The Last Hurrah." T'weren't any more than this inaugural Pegasus running. The October 2nd 1980 fight ended with Ali's trainer, Art Sherman -- uhm -- Angelo Dundee, throwing in the towel after the 10th.

"It was also revealed after the fight that Ali had been examined at the Mayo Clinic, and the results were shocking. He had admitted to tingling in his hands, and slurring of his speech. With the conclusiveness of Ali's loss to Holmes, and Ali's worrying medical condition, it seemed incredible that he fought again." -- Day when time finally beat Ali, The Telegraph. 11 December 2006.

Methinks, or at least mewonders, if something will be revealed as to California Chrome a la those lines. A thing which shouldn't've happened, perchance? Remember, gentlepersons: if not for this race and its much ballyhooed purse, the last we'd have seen of this popular son of Lucky Pulpit would'a been two races ago in a losing effort to Arrogate at the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Best of California Dreamin' from here on out to a deserving California Chrome.
*... anyone know if Argentinian champ Eragon finished yet?

L'shalom