American Anthem takes Santa Anita's San Carlos in tight finish
In a tight photo finish, American Anthem fought off St. Joe Bay to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 San Carlos Stakes, making his 2018 season a perfect two-for-two.
The 4-year-old Bodemeister colt, whose biggest win came in last year’s Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes, opened 2018 in an allowance optional claiming at Churchill Downs June 1. It was his first start since finishing third in October’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.
Winning trainer Bob Baffert said American Anthem has only had a few days to settle back in at Santa Anita Park. The San Carlos winner had traveled to Churchill Downs along with 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.
“He’s stabled right next to Justify,” Baffert said of American Anthem’s current stall, “so I’m sure he gave him a pep talk before he came over.” Justify also paraded before the Santa Anita crowd earlier on the card.
American Anthem sports a similar ownership group as Justify between WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and Head of Plains Partners. SF Racing also has an interest in the horse.
Under the guidance of Mike Smith, American Anthem stalked St. Joe Bay through opening fractions of :22.21 and :44.46. Touching Rainbows, Stone Hands and El Huerfano were close behind while Dabster, Horse Greedy and Top of the Game waited to make their moves.
The frontrunners remained unchallenged turning for home and hooked up in the stretch. St. Joe Bay, a 40-1 shot against American Anthem at 4-5, refused to back down and continued to battle on the rail, pushing back with everything he had. Horse Greedy made a bid from far back, passing Stone Hands and El Huerfano, but the top two would not be caught.
American Anthem dug deep on the outside, getting his nose down over St. Joe Bay and wrapping up the seven furlongs in 1:22.12.
“I jumped too well to try and get in his way,” Smith said of his ride. “I went ahead and just left him where he was at and looked over at the horse inside of me and he was running along pretty happy, so I thought I’d put a little pressure on him and he put up a great, great fight.”
Horse Greedy was up for third over El Huerfano, Dabster, Stone Hands, Touching Rainbows and Top of the Game.