Bob Baffert | Horse Racing Free Tips

Distorted Humor’s Varda Upsets Starlet; Princess Noor Pulled Up

Bob Baffert was favored to win his fourth straight renewal of the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday…just with a different horse. Grade I-winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Princess Noor (Not This Time) was favored to rebound off a fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 6, but instead was pulled up and her stablemate Varda (Distorted Humor) took up the baton, springing a 17-1 upset. It was also the fourth consecutive Starlet victory for winning pilot Drayden Van Dyke and the second for Susan and Charlie Chu’s Baoma Corporation, which campaigned last year’s victress Bast (Uncle Mo).

Purchased by Donato Lanni for $700,000 at the delayed OBS April Sale after breezing in a sharp :20 4/5, Varda was a decisive debut winner going six panels at Del Mar Aug. 30. She was a well-beaten second behind Princess Noor in the GII Chandelier S. going two turns at Santa Anita last time Sept. 26.

Dismissed at the windows in this five-horse affair, Varda raced in tandem with previously unbeaten second-choice Astute at the back of the pack through the opening strides, but bulged out three wide turning for home as that rival cut the corner. The bay trailed the quintet as stablemate Kalypso (Brody’s Cause) clicked off early fractions of :22.91 and :46.43 with Princess Noor in tow. Princess Noor swept to the front as three-quarters went in 1:10.15 with Varda still at the rear of the field with plenty of work to do. Princess Noor stumbled exiting the bend and was quickly pulled up and taken out into the clear by pilot Victor Espinoza. Kalypso resumed command and continued strongly down the lane, but Varda unleashed a powerful late kick, inhaling her stablemate in the final sixteenth to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Nasreddine (Nyquist), the longest shot on the board at 25-1, filled the show spot and Astute was fourth. Varda was the third New York-bred graded winner of the day, following GII Remsen S. victor Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong) and GIII Go for Wand H. heroine Sharp Starr (Munnings) at Aqueduct.

“She always tries hard,” said Van Dyke. “She broke well and we just waited. She needed every bit of that long stretch.”

“[Varda] had been working really well and she looked like the kind of filly that the farther the better with her, so that’s why we’ve been waiting and waiting with her,” Baffert said. “I’m so upset about [Princess Noor] it’s hard to focus.”

As for that injured favorite, the Hall of Famer said, “Victor [Espinoza] said he pulled her up right away. He said it didn’t look real bad. It was her left front. We’re going to take her back to the barn and take X-rays and see what the deal is. I can’t believe it. She was running so easy.”

Later in the day, TVG’s Britney Eurton tweeted an update on Princess Noor, saying, “I just spoke with Bob Baffert regarding Princess Noor who was pulled up in the GI Starlet. He said she X-rayed clean, but has some inflammation in her left front tendon and stated, ‘she was much better when she got back to the barn.'”

Pedigree Notes:

Varda is the 20th Grade I winner, 69th graded scorer and 159th black-type victor for WinStar stalwart Distorted Humor. Her dam She’ll Be Right (Sky Mesa) is also responsible for GSP Big Family (Any Given Saturday) and MSP Geouttamyway (Cross Traffic). The 14-year-old mare’s recent produce uncludes a yearling colt by Lookin at Lucky and a weanling colt by Maclean’s Music. She was bred back to Accelerate. This is also the family of Grade I winner Abscond (Blame).

Satuday, Los Alamitos
STARLET S.-GI, $300,500, Los Alamitos, 12-5, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.53, ft.
1–VARDA, 120, f, 2, by Distorted Humor
1st Dam: She’ll Be Right, by Sky Mesa
2nd Dam: Boogie Beach Blues, by Cure the Blues
3rd Dam: Lonely Beach, by Kennedy Road
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($100,000 Ylg ’19 SARAUG; $700,000 2yo ’20 OBSAPR). O-Baoma Corporation; B-Masters 2013 LLC & Distorted Humor Syndicate (NY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Drayden Van Dyke. $181,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $254,500. *1/2 to Getouttamyway (Cross Traffic), MSP, $174,830; and Big Family (Any Given Saturday), GSP, $148,433. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Kalypso, 120, f, 2, by Brody’s Cause
1st Dam: Malibu Cove, by Malibu Moon
2nd Dam: Spirited Away, by Awesome Again
3rd Dam: Cape North, by Capote
($240,000 Ylg ’19 FTKJUL). O-Rockingham Ranch & David A Bernsen LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $61,500.
3–Nasreddine, 120, f, 2, by Nyquist
1st Dam: Appreciating, by Sky Mesa
2nd Dam: Hello Barbara Sue, by Dehere
3rd Dam: Barbara Sue, by Big Spruce
($360,000 Ylg ’19 FTSAUG). O-Andrew & Rania Warren; B-John C Oxley (KY); T-Michael W McCarthy. $37,500.
Margins: 1HF, 4, 8. Odds: 17.90, 11.20, 25.40.
Also Ran: Astute, Princess Noor.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Coady Photography Will Donate Percentage Of Authentic Calendar Sales To Old Friends

Coady Photography will donate 25 percent of all sales in December of its 2021 calendar honoring 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Authentic to Old Friends Equine. The calendar is currently on sale for $30 and can be purchased at www.coadyphotography.com.

The 9” x 12” wall calendar features stunning Coady Photography pictures, some never before seen, from both the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. The Into Mischief colt owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert is only the fourth horse in history to win the Derby and Classic in the same year, following American Pharoah (2015), Unbridled (1990) and Sunday Silence (1989).

“We greatly appreciate this donation from Coady Photography,” Old Friends founder Michael Blowen said. “In this unprecedented year, we have had to look at alternative ways to raise much needed funds and this will be a big help to us. It's especially significant because Bob and Jill Baffert have donated so many great horses such as Game on Dude to Old Friends. And, they've supported us financially since we started more than 15 years ago. I hope all Thoroughbred racing fans will show their support for Old Friends by purchasing a calendar.”

“Coady Photography couldn't think of a better cause to support than Thoroughbred retirement and Old Friends,” Kurtis Coady said. “We are excited to help.”

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Astute Looks to Remain Perfect in Starlet

LNJ Foxwoods’ Astute (Speightstown) looks to take her record to three-for-three Saturday in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos. Graduating in her career bow sprinting on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 12, the $425,000 KEESEP purchase romped by 7 1/2 lengths next out on dirt in Del Mar’s Desi Arnaz S. Nov. 14.

Princess Noor (Not This Time) hopes to return to winning ways as she sheds the blinkers here after finishing fifth as the favorite in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland last out Nov. 6. A debut winner at Del Mar in August, the $1.35-million OBSAPR topper captured both the Sept. 6 GI Del Mar Debutante and Sept. 26 GII Chandelier S. by a combined 14 3/4 lengths.

Her trainer Bob Baffert also saddles Varda (Distorted Humor) and Kalypso (Brody’s Cause). Varda finished second in the Chandelier after a first-out score at Del Mar Aug. 30. Kalypso earned her diploma in the Anoakia S. Oct. 18 after hitting the board in her first two outings.

Completing the quintet is Nasreddine (Nyquist), who graduated at second asking in SoCal Nov. 7.

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Charlatan Could Meet Nashville in Potential Runhappy Malibu Showdown

The GI Runhappy Malibu S. on Santa Anita’s opening day program could potentially feature a clash between two of the more exciting sophomores in training.

The immensely talented duo of Charlatan and Nashville, both ‘TDN Rising Stars’ and by leading sire Speightstown, are currently being aimed at the prestigious Dec. 26 seven-furlong contest.

The Bob Baffert-trained Charlatan most recently crossed the wire a dominating six-length, wire-to-wire winner in the split-division GI Arkansas Derby May 2, but was subsequently stripped of the victory and demoted to ninth after testing positive for the Class 2 drug lidocaine. He missed an intended start in the GI Belmont S. due to a minor ankle injury.

The chestnut romped in his two prior trips to the post earlier this term at Santa Anita by a combined 16 lengths with Beyer Speed Figures of 105 and 106, respectively.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the $700,000 Keeneland September yearling is campaigned in partnership by the powerhouse line-up of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Frederick Hertrich, III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables. Stonestreet also stayed in for a piece. It was announced in May that Hill ‘n’ Dale had purchased the breeding rights to the son of MGSW & MGISP Authenticity (Quiet American).

“Originally, Baffert was considering either the [GI] Cigar Mile or the Malibu, but he just wasn’t ready in time for this weekend,” Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing said. “He’s breezing well and aiming for the Malibu. There were some extenuating circumstances with the lidocaine positive–not to make an excuse–but I just want him to get back racing, stay sound and do what we thought he could do. And this will be a great test for him.”

Charlatan has posted six workouts since late October, most recently firing a six-furlong bullet in 1:13 (1/7) in Arcadia Dec. 2 (XBTV Video). After some filling appeared to his front ankle following a June 1 workout, an MRI revealed chips which required minor surgery.

“According to Baffert, it wasn’t anything serious,” Wolf said. “I don’t think it was a function of the injury, but it did take him a while to get back and being ready for a race. You know how horses are though, and Baffert knows him better than anybody else. I think he’s got him pointed for the right spot.”

The Malibu field could also include: GIII Nashua S. and Jerome S. hero Independence Hall (Constitution), a smart winner in his Del Mar comebacker Nov. 8; and GI Bing Crosby S. winner Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy).

“Boy, I tell you,” Wolf added. “That Nashville–[Starlight advisor] Frankie Brothers and I were walking out of Keeneland Breeders’ Cup week and [Steve Asmussen assistant] Scott Blasi was schooling the horse in the paddock and we both stopped and asked who it was. That’s how good looking he is. We’ll have our hands full with him. But from a racing standpoint, it’s going to be a great contest.”

After bypassing the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland, the undefeated Nashville instead put on a show on the undercard, setting a new track record for six furlongs in 1:07.89 while being geared down late en route to a jaw-dropping 3 1/2-length, front-running score in the Perryville S. Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), meanwhile, completed the same distance in 1:08.61 seven races later while upsetting the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm colorbearer, a $460,000 Keeneland September acquisition, debuted with a double-digit length victory in the Saratoga slop Sept. 2, then posted a career-high 103 Beyer Speed Figure in an equally impressive Keeneland allowance score Oct. 10. Both wins were against older horses.

“Look, I don’t think it’s going to be any easier of a race than the Breeders’ Cup was,” WinStar’s Elliott Walden said. “I think the quality in the Malibu is going to be similar to what he would’ve faced in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, but he will have the benefit of another start now. The way the whole thing shook out with him running faster than the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, maybe I should’ve run him in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.”

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Nashville has turned in two workouts since, led by a five-furlong warning shot in 1:00 (1/43) at Fair Grounds Dec. 1.

“The race is setting up as a fabulous race,” Walden said. “I think it’s going to be a really good one. We’re really excited about the race. Nashville is doing super and we want to test him against some quality.”

Produced by the unraced Mizzen Mast mare Veronique, Nashville hails from the extended female family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo (Holy Bull) and MGISW Tiago (Pleasant Tap). He was bred in Kentucky by Breffni Farm.

“We’ve been blessed with a lot of good horses through the 20- year history of WinStar Farm,” Walden concluded. “I’m not sure if he’s not the second-best horse we’ve ever had behind [Triple Crown winner] Justify. Time will tell. He does things that are incredible. Just watching him run gives you chills and very few horses come along like that.”

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