Tag: Bob Baffert

Slow Down Andy Earns Breeders’ Cup Classic Berth In Awesome Again

Paul Reddam's Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) assumed command of Saturday's GI Awesome Again S. from the opening bell and made every pole a winning one, earning a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Classic over an extra eighth of a mile of the Santa Anita main track on Nov. 4.

“I was kind of surprised, I thought everyone would try to go,” Reddam said. “The track has been pretty speed favoring all day and he just broke so smoothly that he was on top in three jumps and that worked out. We are in for the Breeders' Cup Classic.”

Favored at 2-1 to snap a five-race skid dating back to a victory in the GII Del Mar Derby on the turf last September, the homebred–third to Defunded (Dialed In) in this event before filling the same spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile–bounced beautifully from gate three and set a lively pace over the rain-affected main track. The Bob Baffert duo of Defunded and GI Preakness S. hero National Treasure (Quality Road) tried to make a race of it as they swung into the stretch, but Slow Down Andy had something left and proved an easy winner by 2 1/2 lengths.

Defunded lasted for second ahead of Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), who attacked the wire for third.

Slow Down Andy, winner of the 2021 GII Los Alamitos Futurity and 2022 GIII Sunland Park Derby, made three previous starts this season, including a second-place finish in the GII San Diego H. July 29 and a third-place finish in the GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic S. last time Sept. 2.

Trainer Doug O'Neill was winning the race for the first time since the legendary Lava Man (Slew City Slew) took it when contested as the Goodwood H. in 2006. Baffert had trained the last three winners of the Awesome Again and eight overall.

“First of all, he is a super easy horse to train and I have to thank the people at OBR,” O'Neill said.

“Zillah does a lot of work along with Ocean Breeze, Carlos and Casey they do such a wonderful job. If they are all like him, it is about as easy as a job as you can get. He just goes out there and gives 100 percent every morning exercising. Tony Romero gets on him, he used to get on the great Lava Man and he says this horse is very special. Just to get a Grade I for Paul, Zillah, and for Andy and OBR it is really special.”

Pedigree Notes:

Slow Down Andy becomes the fourth winner at the top level for Nyquist, who was also campaigned by these same connections to memorable wins in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and GI Kentucky Derby. Slow Down Andy is the lone graded winner produced by broodmare sire Square Eddie.

Reddam homebred Edwina E, winless in two career attempts, has also produced the late MSW Team Merchants (Nyquist) and a Nyquist filly of this year. She was bred to Nyquist for 2024.

Saturday, Santa Anita
AWESOME AGAIN S.-GI, $302,000, Santa Anita, 9-30, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:47.62, wf.
1–SLOW DOWN ANDY, 122, c, 4, by Nyquist
                1st Dam: Edwina E, by Square Eddie
                2nd Dam: Electric Daze, by Gilded Time
                3rd Dam: Electric Fable, by Quiet American
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA); T-Doug F.
O'Neill; J-Mario Gutierrez. $180,000. Lifetime Record:
14-5-4-3, $1,276,600. *Full to Team Merchants, MSW,
$250,490. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Defunded, 126, g, 5, Dialed In–Wind Caper, by Touch Gold.
($210,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson
and Paul Weitman; B-Athens Woods LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.
$60,000.
3–Senor Buscador, 124, h, 5, Mineshaft–Rose's Desert, by
Desert God. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Joe R. Peacock, Jr.; B-Joe R
Peacock Sr. & Joe R Peacock Jr. (KY); T-Todd W. Fincher.
$36,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 1HF. Odds: 2.00, 3.90, 8.40.
Also Ran: National Treasure, Skinner, Bye Bye Bobby, Celestial Moon, Piroli, Stilleto Boy.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Dr. Schivel Guts It Out In Santa Anita Sprint Championship

In a battle of raw speed, Dr. Schivel (Violence) proved to be too much to beat as he outlasted a returning Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) to take the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S.

Last seen running a close-up third in the GI Bing Crosby S. at Del Mar over the summer, Dr. Schivel had plenty of back class to call on here: third last year at Meydan in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen for his only start of the season, second to Aloha West (Hard Spun) in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint, and victorious in that year's GI Bing Crosby. He was also a winner of the GI Del Mar Futurity as a juvenile, making him one of very few runners who can claim Group or Grade I black-type every year he's raced.

Sent to the blocks here carrying 2-1 odds against a well-traveled line up of challengers, Dr. Schivel was quickly sent along after a light bobble at the jump to garner a forward position as Sir Atticus (Gormley) sailed though the early fractions in company of Speed Boat Beach, who was returning from the bench for the first time in almost 10 months. With that trio making all the running passing the three-furlong pole, Dr. Schivel took the inland route as the longshot pacesetter continued fighting off challenges to both sides but Speed Boat Beach looked intent on making a race out of it from the grandstand side. With Sir Atticus tiring by the furlong marker, the top two locked horns for the money and the race's 2021 champion would not be denied despite a valiant effort from the Bob Baffert trainee. Fort Bragg (Tapit) made a belated rally to pick up third.

“The whole plan was to take the same path we did in 2021 and it worked really well that year. It was within an inch of working terrific, but you know I think these sprinters want to run a little fresh and at the same time I like the four weeks out from the Breeders' Cup. Four or five weeks. He got a good race under his belt,” said winning trainer Mark Glatt.

He added: “The ownership group is wonderful to train for they always allow me to do what is good for the horse, he's had his vacations and we've had to be patient. In some cases at times we had to be double patient and that's why he is around still because he wasn't pushed once he gave us the warning light. Hopefully he has one more good one in him and then he gets to go on to his second career.”

When asked if Dr. Schivel will be seen again at the Breeders' Cup, Tim Cohen was very clear: “But of course!”

Pedigree Notes:

The most accomplished of his family, Dr. Schivel hails from a racing one as seven of his siblings have all made it to the races, more than half being winners themselves. Their dam is a winning half-sister to millionaire GISW Ultra Blend (Richly Blended); MSP Swing Thoughts (U S Ranger); and to the dam of MSW Lakerball (Lakerville). The most recent sibling to the races 2-year-old Lil Anthony (Anthony's Cross) is unplaced thus far, and Lil Nugget did produced a 2023 full-sister to Dr. Schivel. She went to Volatile for 2024.

 

Saturday, Santa Anita
SANTA ANITA SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP S. PRESENTED BY ESTRELLA JALISCO-GII, $202,000, Santa Anita, 9-30, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:08.49, wf.
1–DR. SCHIVEL, 122, h, 5, by Violence
          1st Dam: Lil Nugget, by Mining for Money
          2nd Dam: Ankha, by Desert Classic
          3rd Dam: Distant Runner, by Distant Day
($37,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEEJAN). O-Red Baron's Barn LLC, Rancho Temescal LLC, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and William A. Branch; B-William A. Branch & Arnold R. Hill (KY); T-Mark Glatt; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 14-7-2-3, $1,327,100. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Speed Boat Beach, 120, c, 3, Bayern–Sophia Mia, by Pioneerof the Nile. ($12,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $200,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Caperlane Farm (FL); T-Bob Baffert. $40,000.
3–Fort Bragg, 120, c, 3, Tapit–March X Press, by Shanghai Bobby. ($700,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-SF Bloodstock LLC & Henry Field Bloodstock (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,000.
Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 2.40, 3.00, 10.10.
Also Ran: Sir Atticus, American Theorem, Visitant, Arabian Lion, C Z Rocket, Spirit of Makena.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Kirstenbosch Gets Her Dues in Chillingworth

Talk about keeping good company.

Kirstenbosch (Midnight Lute), a 4-year-old making her 17th lifetime start for trainer John Sadler, has not raced out of graded-stakes company since her third-place finish in the GI La Brea S. Dec. 26. Perhaps more impressively, she's been on the board in all but three of the eight starts since that post-Christmas trifecta. And though absent of the winner's circle since victory in the GIII La Canada S. Jan. 15, Kirstenbosch has run second or third to GISW Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) and a pair of Friday's rivals in GSW/GISP Elm Drive (Mohaymen) and GISW Eda (Munnings).

Facing an opportunity to turn the tables on those rivals, Friday's 6-1 shot spotted the field a step at the break and trailed with only Lady T (Into Mischief) to keep her company as the remaining five runners all vied for command into the opening furlong. Several lengths out of it still as the speed began to sort itself out into the turn, Kirstenbosch had Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief), Home Cooking (Honor Code) and Elm Drive to catch as heavily-favored Eda was already under a ride from fourth. Switched inside around the bend and back out again at the top of the lane, she had a clear path to victory and surged past Clearly Unhinged inside the final sixteenth to score the upset.

“What I've been talking about with Keith (Abrahams) is it is not the distance for her, it is the setup, and she finally got the setup she wanted, which is faster,” said trainer John Sadler. “She always puts in a good late run, but if they go slow in front it's sometimes hard for her.”

When asked about a potential next run in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Sprint, Sadler didn't hesitate: “Yes, because it's seven eighths and you might get a strong pace,” he added.

Pedigree Note:

A Keith Abrahams homebred, Kirstenbosch is the third foal and third winner out of GIII Las Cienegas S. runner up Llandudno, also campaigned by Abrahams. She'd previously produced stakes winner and GII Monrovia S. runner up Constantia (Munnings) and reported a yearling full-brother to Friday's winner. Hill 'n' Dale stallion Midnight Lute, himself a champion sprinter, is perhaps best known for his prolific $5.5m Keeneland November sale-topping daughter and Champion older dirt mare Midnight Bisou.

Friday, Santa Anita
CHILLINGWORTH S.-GIII, $101,000, Santa Anita, 9-29, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:15.37, ft.
1–KIRSTENBOSCH, 126, f, 4, by Midnight Lute
          1st Dam: Llandudno (GSP, $150,160), by Belong to Me
          2nd Dam: And Guess What, by Kris S.
          3rd Dam: T. V. Residual, by Pirate's Bounty
O/B-Keith Abrahams (KY); T-John W. Sadler; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GISP, 17-4-5-2, $521,480. *1/2 to Constantia (Munnings), SW & GSP, $209,192. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Clearly Unhinged, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Smart Win, by Smart Strike. O-Rock Brother Racing LLC; B-Rock Brothers Breeding LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $20,000.
3–Eda, 126, f, 4, Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid.
($240,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Baoma Corp; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $12,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 4HF. Odds: 6.50, 4.20, 0.60.
Also Ran: Elm Drive, Violent Runner, Lady T, Home Cooking.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Awesome Start to Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet

Santa Anita kicks off its Autumn meet in style this weekend, highlighted by eight graded stakes, including Saturday's GI Awesome Again S., a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' for the Nov. 4 Classic.

As is his custom, trainer Bob Baffert is armed with a slew of Classic prospects, however, he confirmed last week that one of the early Classic favorites–GI Pacific Classic scorer Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo)–would bypass this local Breeders' Cup Classic prep. Also missing this weekend's lineup, GI Haskell Invitational winner Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) is expected to train straight up to the Classic, as will GI Whitney S. victor White Abarrio (Race Day).

However, despite Arabian Knight's absence, Baffert, who has won this race five times since the re-naming of the Goodwood in 2012, once again looms large, unleashing a pair of Grade I winners–defending champ Defunded (Dialed In) and National Treasure (Quality Road), winner of this season's GI Preakness S.

Defunded has shown a strong affinity for The Great Race Place, having won there in five of nine starts, including victories in this season's GII Californian and GI Gold Cup. Fourth behind Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in the GII San Diego H. at Del Mar, Defunded finished sixth behind stablemate Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic Sept. 2. The 5-year-old appears likely to be kept company on the front end early by Classic winner National Treasure who, along with MGISP Skinner (Curlin), is one of only two sophomores in the field. Runner up in the GI American Pharoah S. at this venue last fall, he rounded out the season with a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in November. Third in the GIII Sham S. in January and fourth in the Apr. 8 GI Santa Anita Derby, the colt went to the front early and remained tough late to head the ultra-game Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Wilting to sixth while stretching to 12 furlongs for the GI Belmont June 10, the bay never got into the mix of things-in while in absence of blinkers–in the GI Travers S. over 10 furlongs Aug. 26. In a rider's edition of musical chairs, Juan Hernandez replaces Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard the Classic winner, while Edwin Maldonado, gets the call on Defunded Saturday.

Sporting some solid credentials himself, Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) offered a good showing last time out when third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Arabian Knight and runner-up Geaux Rocket Ride, in the Pacific Classic and followed up with a second-place effort in the 8 1/2-furlong GII San Diego H. at Del Mar July 29. He was also sixth in the GI Met Mile earlier in June.

Victorious in last season's GIII Sunland Derby and the grassy GII Del Mar Derby, the Doug O'Neill trainee rounded out 2022 with a third behind Cody's Wish (Curlin) in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Nov. 5.

Also attempting to get back into the winner's circle Saturday, Stilleto Boy (Shackleford) recorded his biggest career score in the GI Santa Anita H. over 1 1/4 miles in March before coming up a head short while cutting back to nine panels in the GII Oaklawn H. the following month. Tiring to sixth in a rerouted renewal of the GI Stephen Foster S., contested at Ellis July 1, the gelding was eased after a problematic start last time out in the Pacific Classic and will try to rebound in this cut back. Trained by Ed Moger, the $420,000 Fasig-Tipton Horses in Training graduate, a winner of last season's GII Californian over this track and trip, has hit the board in six of seven starts at Santa Anita.

 

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