Lightly raced Cezanne, the 3-5 favorite, drove clear in the stretch and took the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (G2) for older runners Saturday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Eager to start, Cezanne was first from the gate with Flavien Prat aboard, but Canadian Pride asserted himself to narrowly lead through a half mile in :45.42. Cezanne dueled for command with that rival and Principe Carlo around the turn, then grabbed a half-length advantage into the stretch. Principe Carlo was full of run and dug in but Cezanne was ready to run and drew away in midstretch for a 2½-length triumph.
Cezanne, trained by Bob Baffert for Coolmore Associates and co-breeder St. Elias Stable, finished seven furlongs in 1:23.45. He returned $3.
“I was traveling well and he responded well when it was time to make a move,” said Prat. “Bob was telling me he was going to be really sharp today, and that was the case. I thought I was in a good spot towards the end, and he gave himself a very good chance to win the race.”
Principe Carlo was six lengths back in third.
The win was the first for Cezanne since capturing the Kona Gold Stakes (G3) last April at Santa Anita in his only start of 2021. In his comeback and only previous start this year, the 5-year-old son of Curlin was third as the 3-5 favorite in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) Jan. 29 at the same track, but clearly benefitted from the outing as well as from several recent workouts. Dating back to Feb. 7, he has worked four times, with his last three moves, two at five furlongs and his most recent at six furlongs on Feb. 27 in a bullet time.
Cezanne's career line stands at 4-0-1 from six starts and earnings of $267,000.
“We missed our timing with him,” said Baffert. “He had a few setbacks, otherwise he would have been in the [Santa Anita Handicap (G1)]. He's a good handicap horse. He showed his class. I think he is a mile and a quarter horse. We'll keep him going and look toward the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). I like what I saw today. …”
Kentucky-bred Cezanne, also co-bred by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, was a $3.65 million purchase by Coolmore's M. V. Magnier at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida select 2-year-olds in training sale. His dam is the winning Bernardini mare Achieving, whose dam, Teeming, is a half sister to champion Rags to Riches. Third dam is 2007 Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour.
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