es in because hes a big draw and players from all over Eur

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- As he walked briskly into the post-race interview area at Saratoga, trainer Bob Baffert said: This is better this year. Why didnt we do that last year?A year after making a similar walk - though with less enthusiasm - following Triple Crown winner American Pharoahs defeat in the Travers, Baffert floated on air after the previously unheralded Arrogate put on a performance for the ages, winning Saturdays Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes by a whopping 13-1/2 lengths over stablemate American Freedom. Moreover, Arrogates final time of 1:59.36 for 1-1/4 miles was a track record, demolishing the mark of 2:00 set by General Assembly in the 1979 Travers.That was ridiculous, Baffert said.The win capped a sensational hour for Arrogates owner, Juddmonte Farms, which also won the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer Invitational with Flintshire on Saturday. It was also a two-win day for Baffert, who won the Grade 1 Kings Bishop with Drefong.But Arrogate eclipsed all performances on a Breeders Cup-type card at Saratoga, where 13 3-year-olds went into the starting gate for the 147th Travers but only one will be remembered.Arrogate, a son of Unbridleds Song, had never run in a stakes race before Saturday. His three wins coming into this race came against a total of 10 horses. On Aug. 4, he beat two horses in an allowance race, coming from last of three.When Arrogate drew the rail for the Travers, Baffert knew Mike Smith would have to put him into the race from the outset. Smith hustled Arrogate away from the gate but was third under the wire the first time as American Freedom and Laoban had outbroke him.But by the time the field entered the first turn, Arrogate was in front, running an opening quarter of 23.23 seconds. The gray locomotive kept rolling at a brisk clip of 46.84 seconds for a half-mile and 1:10.85 for six furlongs while basically in hand.So smooth, so strong, Smith said. He would look around a lot because hes so immature. Every time he looked too much Id say, Hey, and, man, he would jump to it.Entering the far turn, Arrogate widened his lead and he came to the quarter pole two lengths in front after running a mile in 1:35.52, equaling the second-fastest mile fraction in the history of the race.Smith said he kept busy on Arrogate in the stretch because he was afraid someone was coming, but no one was in shouting distance as Arrogate came to the wire in front of 48,630 spectators.Sent off an 11-1 shot, Arrogate returned $25.40 and keyed a Baffert exacta that returned $134.50.It was Baffert who picked out Arrogate at auction for Juddmonte, which three years ago retained him as their Southern California trainer following the death of Juddmontes previous U.S. trainer Bobby Frankel several years earlier. Arrogate brought $560,000 as a yearling.Rafael Bejarano had ridden Arrogate in his three previous victories, but he also had ridden American Freedom to a victory in the Iowa Derby and a runner-up finish in the Haskell Invitational. Bejarano said owner Gary West wanted him to ride American Freedom.I wanted to ride [Arrogate], but there was nothing I could do because the owner wanted me to ride that other horse, said Bejarano, adding that Arrogate was much better than the other horses and he loved the distance.American Freedom finished a half-length in front of third-place finisher Gun Runner, who finished 3-3/4 lengths ahead of Gift Box in fourth. He was followed, in order, by Governor Malibu, Connect, Creator, My Man Sam, Destin, Forever dOro, 5-2 favorite Exaggerator, Laoban, and Anaximandros.Jockey Kent Desormeaux was on Exaggerator, who he said was empty before the running started.In addition to trying to boost his credentials for the 3-year-old championship, Exaggerator was trying to disprove the notion he is simply a wet-track specialist. He has won three Grade 1s in the slop this year. His last effort on a fast track was an 11th-place finish in the Belmont Stakes.Im not going to scratch my head, Im going to accept it as racing and Ill figure out what happened in the ensuing days, said Keith Desormeaux, trainer of Exaggerator. I can assure you theres nothing physically wrong with him. It kind of mimicked his Belmont race. Its hard for me to accept that its all about the track.Trainer Steve Asmussen was glad to see Gun Runner bounce back from his fifth-place finish in the Haskell with a respectable third-place showing in the Travers.On a dry track we saw Gun Runner is of very high quality, he said. It is very comforting to be able to throw out the Haskell.Creator, the Belmont Stakes winner, also trained by Asmussen, finished seventh. Asmussen deduced that Creator had the same troubles with the turns at Saratoga as he did at Fair Grounds this winter.Saratogas probably not for him, Asmussen said.They used to say that about Baffert. They werent saying it Saturday.Swell Bottle Cheap .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Swell Bottles Wholesale . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. http://www.swellbottlesale.com/swell-bottle-wood-sale.html . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Swell Wood Water Bottle . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Cheap Swell Bottles . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015.Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes his former side are looking capable of mounting a title charge next season - with a couple of quality signings.Jurgen Klopps side have closed in on the top four with three successive wins in the Premier League - including a 4-0 thumping of rivals Everton on Wednesday - while they have also booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a stunning comeback win against Borussia Dortmund. Sky Bets title odds Find out how Sky Bet price up next seasons Premier League title outright here. Thommo believes Klopp needs to strengthen but is confident they will be able to attract the quality capable of making them a title-challenging force next season. Jurgen Klopp has led Liverpool into the Europa League semi-finals this season Speaking ahead of Saturdays Premier League clash with Newcastle, the former Reds captain told Sky Sports: They were absolutely magnificent against Everton and are looking as good as anyone at this moment in time. Theyre moving the ball quickly and defending far better.The top four should be the aim but theres no reason that a push for title if Klopp strengthens the spine of the side.Id like to see a couple of quality first-team players added rather than six or seven that are going to compete for places. Thommo cant see Christian Benteke at Anfield next season Joel Matip is coming in a centre-back but I think, with Christian Benteke and Mario Balotelli probably leaving, another top striker and central midfielder are needed.ddddddddddddThats where Klopp comes in because hes a big draw and players from all over Europe will have been watching the scenes from against Dortmund and thinking to themselves that they want to play under that man in that atmosphere.Thommo has also called for Joe Allen to be handed an extension to his contract, which has just over a year to run. Get Joe Allen signed up sharpish, says Thommo One thing I want to see Klopp do quickly is get Joe Allen signed up on a new deal, he added.He was brilliant against Bournemouth and whenever hes come on, against Dortmund and Everton, hes been terrific. Thommos Sky Bet tip Find out what Thommo is tipping up at 25/1 for Sunderland v Arsenal here.Also See:Race for the top fourEuro qualification explained ' ' '