With varsity aces Life Is Good and Medina Spirit awaiting their next call to action, Bob Baffert goes to his expansive bench Saturday with Freedom Fighter and Concert Tour in Santa Anita's Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
It will be the first start in five months for Freedom Fighter, a son Violence, who led throughout his debut race at Del Mar last Aug. 1, winning the five-furlong dash by a head as the 1-2 favorite.
“Going seven eighths is a tough distance,” Baffert said, “but he's quick and he's had good works. He broke his maiden first out and then we had to back off him, but he's doing well.”
Freedom Fighter, who will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, has amply displayed his readiness with a series of recent breezes, including three bullet works, the most recent a five furlong move from the gate on Jan. 28 in 59.60, handily, the fastest of 70 drills at the distance.
Concert Tour was no secret as a debut winner going six furlongs on Jan. 15. The son of Street Sense owned and bred by Gary and Mary West was in hand late as the even-money favorite, scoring by 3 ½ lengths under Joel Rosario who is back aboard Saturday.
Baffert will be seeking to add to his record of 10 San Vicente victories, having captured his first in 1997 with eventual Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm.
Subsequent triumphs were posted by Exploit (1999), Kafwain (2003), Fusaichi Rock Star (2005), Too Much Bling (2006), The Factor (2011), Drill (2012), Shakin It Up (2013), Lord Nelson (2015) and Nadal last year.
Meanwhile, individual Kentucky Derby Future Book favorite Life Is Good worked four furlongs Monday in 48.80, breezing.
“He looked really good and he's doing everything right,” said Baffert, who confirmed the Sham Stakes winner will make his next start in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes March 6, adding, “We've got a long way to go.”
The San Vicente, race seven of 10 with a 12 noon first post time: Freedom Fighter, Drayden Van Dyke, 5-2; The Chosen Vron, Mike Smith, 5-2; Uncle Boogie, Abel Cedillo, 12-1; Found My Ball, Mario Gutierrez, 3-1; and Concert Tour, Joel Rosario, 8-5.
The Chosen Vron blew out four furlongs Wednesday in 48.20 for trainer Eric Kruljac. Mr. Impossible was scratched.
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