A lights-out maiden winner going a flat mile on turf in his U.S. debut Jan. 9, Irish-bred Earls Rock cut back in distance and further enhanced his status as an up-and-coming star with an impressive three-quarter length tally in Friday's $75,000 Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by Phil D'Amato and ridden by Flavien Prat, Earls Rock rallied from off the pace to cover 6 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:16.15.
Breaking from his number two post position in a field of nine sophomores, Earls Rock was an unhurried sixth, about six lengths off speedy Mac Daddy Too heading into the far turn. Midway around the turn, Prat began to make up ground and split horses turning for home, just to the outside of the pacesetter.
Although eventual runner-up Beer Can Man loomed ominously three-deep, Earls Rock was up to the challenge in the final furlong and won going away in a manner that suggests he's a colt of considerable quality.
“The distance was a bit of a question mark, it was a little short for him,” said Prat, who was also aboard for the one mile maiden win. “But he relaxed well behind horses and when I asked him to go, he really cut.”
Second in his career debut Sept. 4 in Ireland, Earls Rock was off as the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.80, $3.00 and $2.60.
“This is about as short as he wants,” said D'Amato. “The jock rode a tremendous race. He was very patient and the way he split horses, it made all the difference.”
Owned by Anthony Fanticola, Earls Rock, who is by Fascinating Rock, out of Ajaadat, by Shamardal, is now two for three and with the winner's share of $49,320, more than doubled his earnings to $91,099.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez and trained by Mark Glatt, Beer Can Man, who was attentive to the pace throughout, finished 3 ¼ lengths in front of Mac Daddy Too. Off at 6-1, Beer Can Man paid $5.00 and $3.60.
Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Mac Daddy Too was off at 26-1 and paid $5.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.06, 45.77 and 1:10.12.
The Baffle win gave Prat a triple on the day, while D'Amato collected his second win.
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