Baffert unveils 2 high-priced 3-year-olds Monday

In addition to a trio of Grade 1 races, Monday’s Memorial Day card at Santa Anita includes an intriguing maiden race that features two high-priced auction buys for trainer Bob Baffert.

In the sixth race, Baffert will saddle Extortion, a $1 million purchase at last year’s Keeneland November sale, and Truehood, who cost $700,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Extortion is a colt by top stallion Into Mischief out of the unraced Distorted Humor mare Gaudete. Owned by Gandharvi, Extortion has worked seven times for his debut. He is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line and will have Kazushi Kimura in the irons.

Truehood lured Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez and is the 8-5 favorite on the morning line. He is a colt by Nyquist out of the unraced Bernardini mare Nellavetrina. Truehood is campaigned by Los Alamitos owner Ed Allred and Jack Liebau, a longtime owner-breeder and racing executive.

Truehood has worked nine times since March 5 and has three bullets on the tab, including a five-furlong move in 59.00 seconds May 11.

Post time for Monday’s sixth race is scheduled for 3:42 p.m.