Classic hero Arrogate is a legend in the making

A look at the biggest races and best performances from around the globe

Victor Espinoza shouldn't beat himself up over California Chrome's defeat. He was looking for excuses after the great horse suffered his first loss of the season in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but the excuse is simple: he was beaten by another great horse.

Sure, the losing rider might have increased the tempo at halfway or started his run sooner, but the fact is the run he got from California Chrome would have been good enough to win nine of the last ten Classics. It's hard to account for Arrogate being even better.