Haskell on the radar for Affirmed Stakes winner Mucho Gusto
Going into Sunday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert considered Mucho Gusto a candidate for races a cut below the top of the sophomore division moving forward this season.
Then the colt delivered a performance that could change that forecast.
Mucho Gusto made easy work of a field of six when stretching back to 1 1/16 miles, leaving Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster in his wake after an outside, stalking trip under jockey Joe Talamo.
"I told Joe, 'If we're going to win any bigger purses, this horse needs to learn to relax instead of going out there fast all the time,'" Baffert said. "I think this horse is maturing. He's a late foal. He's getting better."
Baffert said he might "take a shot" at Monmouth Park's July 20 Haskell Invitational (G1), then quipped, "I can change my mind about five times before then."
Mucho Gusto, a son of Mucho Macho Man, was ridden confidently before fully engaging with the leaders through the far turn at Santa Anita Park. He hit the wire alone in front and under a hand ride, with the final time 1:45.15.
Off as the 9-5 second choice — Roadster was even money — Mucho Gusto made it five wins in seven career starts, and two in a row. Last time, he shortened up to seven furlongs in the Lazaro Barerra (G3) on May 18.
In his only defeats, the Michael Lund Petersen runner did the work on the lead before yielding late -- hence Baffert's comments about relaxing.
Roadster, meanwhile, was making his first start since a non-effort in the Kentucky Derby.
"He's not quite where I'd like to have him -- where he was," Baffert said. "It was a positive move for him forward. He needs a little bit more weight on there after the Derby."
Visitant, a Northern California shipper, ran third after setting the pace, going in 24.14 and 48.92 to open proceedings.
With a headstrong Kingly Baffert's third runner in the Affirmed, the Hall of Famer saddled half the field. It was Manhattan Up who finished fourth to round out the board.