American Anthem, Cistron square off in Santa Anita's Triple Bend

In a talent-laden field of eight, Bob Baffert’s American Anthem and John Sadler’s Cistron appear to merit top billing going seven furlongs in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park.  

Favored in his first start in nine months, American Anthem was a close second in a one-turn mile allowance on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs and has a huge chance shortening to a distance at which he’s won four out of five times.  

Thought to be a turf sprinter, Cistron ran his competition off its feet when winning the Kona Gold Stakes (G2) by 5 ¼ lengths on April 20.  Reunited with Victor Espinoza, he’ll be facing tougher company in the Triple Bend, including Baffert’s speedy Nero, who figures to apply plenty of early pace pressure.  

Owner: China Horse Club & WinStar Farm, LLC                         

Trainer: Bob Baffert  

The 5-year-old horse by Bodemeister went to the front in his most recent race at Churchill Downs on May 4 and gave way grudgingly late to be second by three-quarters of a length as the 6-5 favorite. A winner of two graded stakes here, the Lazaro Barrera (G2) in May of 2017 and the San Carlos (G2) in June of 2018, American Anthem will be reunited with Mike Smith, who has ridden him in eight of his 12 starts, winning three of them.  

Owner: Hronis Racing, LLC                                    

Trainer: John Sadler  

Although campaigned through 13 consecutive turf starts, including a close second-place finish two starts back in the San Simeon Stakes (G3) on March 31, Cistron was wheeled back in 10 days on dirt in the Kona Gold, and he responded with a rousing win. A 5-year-old horse by The Factor, Cistron will likely have to contend with Nero early as he tries seven furlongs on dirt for only the second time in his career. A lifetime earner of $480,719, he has an overall mark of 25: 4-6-6.