American Freedom all heart in Sir Barton
Putting his heart as well as his talent on display, Gary and Mary West’s American Freedom fought off challenges from start to finish to win the $100,000 Latin American Racing Channel Sir Barton Stakes by a length Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
The 19th running of the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton for 3-year-olds was the second stakes victory of the day for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, following the $100,000 Chick Lang, also for sophomores, with Justin Squared.
Baffert, who will go for his record-tying seventh victory in the 141st Preakness Stakes (G1) with Collected, won the Sir Barton in 2015 with Fame and Power.
American Freedom ($4.60), sent off as the 6-5 favorite in a field of 10, tracked early pacesetter Fearless Dragon through a quarter-mile in 23.47 seconds before taking over the top spot after a half in 47.50.
From there, the bay Pulpit colt turned away bids from Donegal Moon to his outside approaching the lane and then Voluntario along the rail in mid-stretch for his first stakes victory in three lifetime starts. The winning time was 1:44.85 over a muddy main track.
Voluntario finished second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of late-running Dazzling Gem. Owned by Steve Landers Racing, Dazzling Gem had been under consideration for the Preakness before trainer Brad Cox opted for the Sir Barton.
Source: Pimlico Race Course