Baffert Likes Being Number One
“I’m No. 1,” comes the boast from an old vaudeville gag. “Yeah,” is the punch line. “And there’s nothing lower than No. 1.”
Bob Baffert might have mixed emotions about the first digit on
the numerological chart. He’s No. 1 in Santa Anita’s training standings,
but when it comes to post position draws, the Hall of Fame conditioner
seems to live on the rail, as the saying goes.
The trend continues Saturday when The Factor breaks from the No.
1 post position in the Grade I Ancient Title Stakes, a “Win and You’re
In” event that entitles the winner to automatic entry into the Breeders’
Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.
“I think they put me on the rail and then draw the race,”
Baffert quipped at Clockers’ Corner while multi-tasking, watching The
Factor gallop and at the same time baby-sitting his six-year-old son,
Bode. “I’d rather carry an extra four pounds of extra weight and be on
the outside than draw the rail.”
Be that as it may, there’s no secret on strategy for The Factor
once the gates open in the six-furlong race. “That’s all he knows (is to
take the lead),” Baffert said of the 3-year-old gray son of War Front,
who set the track record for six furlongs of 1:06.98 last Dec. 27. “A
lot of these War Fronts want to go. He’s got a lot of Danzig (War
Front’s sire) in him. He’s fast.”
The Factor worked a half mile at Santa on Monday and was clocked
in 47 flat.
The field for the $250,000 Ancient Title, which goes as the fourth of 10
races: The Factor, Martin Garcia; Sirocco Strike, Victor Espinoza;
Square Eddie, Patrick Valenzuela; Irrefutable, Rafael Bejarano;
Amazombie, Mike Smith; and Mensa Heat, Joe Talamo.
Sunshine Millions Sprint winner Amazombie blew out four furlongs Wednesday in 48 flat for Bill Spawr.