After selling for $3.55 million at auction as a 2-year-old last May, Hejazi arrived at trainer Bob Baffert's barn with sky-high expectations. Eight months and three starts later, the son of Bernardini is Grade 1-placed but still a maiden.
In Sunday's opener, an intriguing 6 ½-furlong maiden race for 3-year-olds, Hejazi will try to finally earn that elusive diploma.
“It's hard to believe he's still a maiden given the (speed) figures he's run, and the way he works, but here we are,” said bloodstock agent Gary Young, who advised owner Amr Zedan in the purchase of Hejazi from consignor Sequel Bloodstock at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale.
Hejazi kicked off his career with two starts at Del Mar last summer going 5 ½ furlongs and was runner-up each time behind subsequent stakes winners. In his second outing, he uncorked a 100 Beyer Speed Figure but was still no match for stablemate Speed Boat Beach, who won in a track record time of 1:01.86.
Hejazi was then sent around two turns in the American Pharoah (G1) and finished third behind Cave Rock, an Eclipse Award finalist, and National Treasure, who would go on to be third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).
Young said Hejazi received a brief freshening after the American Pharoah and “he's come back and is working very well.” Hejazi has worked seven times since late November, which includes consecutive six-furlong drills most recently, both completed in 1:12.60.
“We expect him to run very well,” Young said of the New York-bred colt, who was produced by the Medaglia d'Oro mare G Note. “Drawing the rail isn't ideal, but we expect him to be able to handle these horses. Anything less than a win would be a disappointment.”
In addition to his role as bloodstock agent, Young is also a highly respected clocker on the Southern California circuit. He noted Hejazi's chief rivals on Sunday could be first-time starter I Don't Get It for trainer Doug O'Neill and Sully, who was beaten just 1 ¼ lengths after setting a contentious pace in his Nov. 12 debut at Del Mar for trainer John Shirreffs.
“Those are nice horses who look to be coming into this well,” Young said.
Like several in the field, Hejazi will be racing with the anti-bleeding medication Lasix for the first time Sunday. Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who has been aboard Hejazi for all three starts, will again be in the irons.
The field in post-position order with morning-line odds: Hejazi, Mike Smith (4-5); I Don't Get It, Mario Gutierrez (4-1); The Last One Perk, Geovanni Franco (30-1); Worcester, Juan Hernandez (4-1); Speed of the Nile, Ramon Vazquez (20-1); Sully, Victor Espinoza (4-1); Tiz Tok, Edwin Maldonado (15-1).
The post ‘It’s Hard To Believe He’s Still A Maiden’: $3.55-Million Colt Hejazi Adds Spice To Sunday Race At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
