Heavily-favored Enbarr made his first victory a stakes success, rallying past stablemate Montebello in the final eighth of a mile to capture the $75,000 Capote Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, Calif.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for Baoma Corporation, the 2-year-old Brody's Cause colt sat third behind the early pace set by Montebello, the 3-2 second choice, and 12-1 shot Olympic Legend, steered outside entering the stretch and went on to win by a comfortable one length in 1:16.33 for the 6 ½ furlongs.
Second behind stablemate – and eventual Del Mar Futurity winner – Pinehurst in his debut Aug. 1, Enbarr, who was ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, paid $2.80 and $2.10 as the 2-5 choice. There was no show wagering after Rhetoric, who is also trained by Baffert, and Fascinated were scratched earlier in the day.
Montebello, who finished eight lengths clear of Olympic Legend, returned $2.10. It was the Curlin colt's second consecutive runner-up finish in a stakes. The New York bred completed the exacta behind Senbei in the Funny Cide Aug. 27 at Saratoga.
Although a 1-2 finish for the stable was the desired result, the race didn't play out exactly as assistant trainer Mike Marlow thought it would.
“We thought Enbarr would be showing the way early and Montebello would be a couple of lengths off him,'' he said. “They broke and that's how it ended up with Montebello in front and Enbarr tracking.
“They're both good horses. I think Montebello is going to be better around two turns. He's got that high cruising speed while Enbarr is just a fast horse.''
Van Dyke, who was aboard Enbarr for the first time, was impressed with the colt purchased for $200,000 as a yearling.
“I just played the break and when (Montebello) showed more speed I let my horse relax,'' he said. “He gave me a good run around the turn and then really kicked into gear at the top of the stretch when he switched leads. He was just idling at the end once he got past.''
Out of the Warrior's Reward mare Star of Gallantry, Enbarr increased his earnings to $57,500.
Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 1 p.m.
The program is highlighted by a pair of stakes – the $100,000 Los Alamitos Special for older horses at 1 1/16 miles and the $75,000 Dark Mirage for older fillies and mares at one mile.
The Special is the fifth of nine races while the Dark Mirage is the eighth.
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