Bob Baffert loaded for bear
In case you haven’t already figured it out, it’s a good year to be Bob Baffert. When it comes to stars, he has plenty of them, and they have been shooting off plenty of fireworks in 2017.
The biggest star in his stable, Arrogate, needs no introduction. Winner of more than $17 million, the huge first foal out of Bubbler (Distorted Humor) has won some of the most prestigious dirt races in the world, including the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the G1 Dubai World Cup. Poised to make his next star in Del Mar’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, there’s every chance that Arrogate could run the table all the way to more Eclipse Award accolades. I mean, at this point, the only horse that could beat Arrogate is Arrogate himself, and even he couldn’t manage to do that in Dubai.
Call it fate. Call it a bad PR move. Call it whatever you want. The long and short of it is, Baffert acquired the third best 3-year old filly in the country when Abel Tasman moved to his barn following a silks snafu in the Santa Ysabel. Since then, and perhaps aided by the layoff of Unique Bella, the Quality Road filly has added two more grade 1 wins to her résumé, the most notable of which came in the Longines Kentucky Oaks. Eventually she will have to prove that she can beat archrival Unique Bella, but for now, Abel Tasman reigns supreme in the 3-year old filly division, and I’m not sure that there’s another filly that can slow her roll.
The always talented Cupid finally got that elusive grade 1 victory when making his 2017 bow in the G1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. The field might not have been the best, but Cupid’s final time of 2.00:89 for the 1 ¼-mile event was a strong one. Should Baffert keep Arrogate and Cupid separated, which I’m sure he will, Cupid can definitely add a few more notches to his belt. I doubt that he could beat Arrogate anyway, but there are plenty of races out there that Arrogate will not be in.
Mor Spirit is making a name for himself at 1 1/16-mile and shorter and is probably best at a mile. The ridgling most recently earned his signature win when he romped in the stallion-making Met Mile. It’s possible that he will stretch back out for the Whitney Handicap, but should that endeavor fail, it’s more than likely that Baffert will saddle both the Dirt Mile and the Classic winners at this year’s Breeders’ Cup.
In nearly any other stretch of time, Vale Dori would be at the top of female distaff division. However, the Argentinean import had the misfortune to come along at the same time as fillies such as Beholder, Songbird, and Stellar Wind. While she may or may not be able to beat the best of her division, Vale Dori is still a darn fine mare with plenty of talent. Should any be able to take down Songbird or Stellar Wind, or even the top 3-year old fillies, it’s Vale Dori, and Baffert knows just how to get her ready to rumble.
With nearly a year off following a disappointing 10th place effort in last year’s Preakness Stakes, Collected has come back in 2017 better than ever. Rattling off three consecutive wins at Santa Anita to begin his year, Collected could be a force to be reckoned with at the middle distances so long as he stays clear of his stablemates and Gun Runner, something a few of his buddies would do well to heed, as well.
Drefong has not faced the starter yet in 2017, but when he does, look out! He can run a field off their feet on the front end, and both times he’s faced Dubai Golden Shaheen champ Mind Your Biscuits, he’s beaten him. Is it possible that Baffert trains this year’s BC Sprint winner as well? You can bet your bottom dollar if you’re the gambling type.
It’s a West Coast kind of year, and Baffert holds nearly all the trump cards. With Mike Smith aboard many of his best prospects, you could bet the mortgage and collect nearly every time (Not that I’m encouraging you to do so. Gamble responsibly, my friends!) He’s loaded for bear, and the competition better watch out!