Baffert expects Danzing Candy to harness his speed in Affirmed
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Photo:
Benoit Photo/Santa Anita
Danzing Candy makes his first start for Bob Baffert in Saturday’s Grade III Affirmed Stakes for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, and the Hall of Fame trainer is anxious to see what he’s got.
“It will be interesting,” Baffert said between workers Thursday morning. “His last two races were sort of disasters. We taught him how to harness some of that speed. He’s got a good post and we should have options from there (No. five in a field of five).”
Danzing Candy won the Grade II San Felipe Stakes last March when trained by Cliff Sise Jr. prior to finishing fourth by 13 ¼ lengths in the sloppy Santa Anita Derby and 15th by 20 lengths in the Kentucky Derby after leading both races.
The Affirmed marks the first race under Baffert’s supervision.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if what we’ve done has made a difference and to see what we have,” Baffert said.
The field for the Affirmed, named for the 1978 Triple Crown winner: Curlin Rules, Victor Espinoza, 5-1; Dalmore, Kent Desormeaux, 4-1; Beaumarchais, Joe Talamo, 20-1; Prince of Arabia, Santiago Gonzalez, 6-1; and Danzing Candy, Rafael Bejarano, 2-5.
IMPROVING BEAUMARCHAIS STEPS UP IN AFFIRMED
Beaumarchais steps up from a smashing 5 ½-length victory against $75,000 maiden claiming horses to Saturday’s Affirmed Stakes, but Simon Callaghan feels the Florida-bred son of Big Drama deserves the chance.
“He’s simply getting better,” the trainer said. “Stretching out in distance for the first time last out (at a mile) he showed there’s more improvement to come. He needs to step up his game but I think he’s heading in the right direction.”
Source: Santa Anita Park
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