Santa Anita news: Baffert to enter a pair for American Pharoah Stakes
Bob Baffert needs another stakes win like California needs another Starbucks, but that won’t stop the two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer from seeking more.
He has five horses nominated to next Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” American Pharoah Stakes (formerly known as the FrontRunner) for 2-year-olds, with two likely to start: the Del Mar Futurity hero Game Winner and maiden winner Tale of the Union.
Baffert trainee Roadster, who could have vied for favoritism based on his 4 ¼-length maiden win at first asking, is getting a two-month break.
Game Winner, a son of Candy Ride, topped Roadster and others in the Futurity. Tale of the Union, a bay son of Union Rags, won his lone start by daylight, eight lengths on Aug. 26.
The American Pharoah pays 2019 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and offers an expenses-paid trip to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to the winning connections.
GEROUX ON QUEEN FOR DAY IN RODEO DRIVE
Richard Baltas has six horses nominated to next Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares, three and up, at 1 ¼ miles on turf, but only Queen Blossom is likely to start.
“She came out of her race at Del Mar good,” Baltas said, speaking of a second by one lengths on Aug. 15. “I think the distance is good, although she really wants to go farther.”
Baltas has engaged Florent Geroux to ride the 5-year-old Irish-bred mare.
CALLAGHAN KEEN ON BELLAFINA FOR CHANDELIER
Simon Callaghan is optimistic that Bellafina can successfully negotiate the 1 1/16 miles of the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies next Saturday.
A bay daughter of Quality Road owned by Kaleem Shah, Bellafina won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at seven furlongs on Aug. 5 after finishing second in her debut July 4.
“I don’t think the distance will be any problem,” Callaghan said. “She’s trained really well since her last win and we’re looking forward to the race.”
Flavien Prat retains the mount on Bellafina, who is scheduled to have her final major work for the Chandelier on Sunday.
Also set for the Chandelier is Brill, a daughter of Malibu Moon who won at first asking, coming from behind at five furlongs as the 7-10 favorite for Jerry Hollendorfer. The Hall of Fame trainer will have Geroux up.
LA FORCE IS WITH IT FOR ZENYATTA STAKES
La Force, a consistent German-bred filly trained by Paddy Gallagher, seeks her first stakes win next Sunday in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/16 miles.
The dark bay daughter of Power is scheduled to work tomorrow and if all goes well, it’s on to the Zenyatta. “It’s a race we’ve been pointing to,” Gallagher said.
La Force, second to champion Unique Bella in two Grade 1 races, the Beholder Mile and the Clement L. Hirsch, is versatile in her style, either stalking the pace or coming from off it.
In 21 starts, she has two wins, six seconds, four thirds and earnings of $310,800.