No excuses for Arrogate flop after world's best horse beaten at 1/20

Bob Baffert's Dubai World Cup winner was sent off the 1-20 favourite in the San Diego Handicap, despite giving weight to all his rivals over a trip short of his best.

However, he never looked comfortable at any stage and trailed home in fourth behind Accelerate.

Sky Bet pushed him out to 6/4 from 8/15 to win the Breeders' Cup Classic later in the season, also at Del Mar.

"He's fine. He didn't really put out that much. We checked him over (physically) and he looks good. He got a lot of dirt in his eyes and mouth," Bafffert told www.bloodhorse.com.

"They got away from him. He made a little run, but then he was just flat. This track - you have to be up close. You can't be too far back."

He added: "We'll just go on with him. As long as he's working well and nothing comes up, we're going in the Pacific Classic. I wanted to give him a race here, thinking it would be a great workout for him, but the Pacific Classic is the main goal.

"They were ready for me. John (Sadler) did a great job with his horse. It's disappointing, but Arrogate is OK and that's all that matters. He'll be ready next time."