Mucho Gusto shortens up in Santa Anita's Laz Barrera

Bob Baffert’s Mucho Gusto and Jeff Bonde’s Sparky Ville headline the Grade 3, $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at seven furlongs this Saturday at Santa Anita Park. The Laz Barrera, which is restricted to 3-year-olds, has attracted a field of six.

A disappointing third as the 4-5 favorite in the Sunland Derby (G3) back on March 24, Mucho Gusto, a Kentucky-bred colt by Mucho Macho Man, will cut back in distance from a mile and one eighth, while Bonde’s Sparky Ville returns from Golden Gate Fields where he was sixth in the California Derby at 1 1/16 miles on synthetic on April 27.

Named for the late Hall of Fame conditioner, who was best known as the trainer of 1978 Triple Crown Champion Affirmed, the Barrera was originally run at Hollywood Park as the Playa del Rey Stakes.

MUCHO GUSTO

Owner: Michael Lund Petersen                                          

Trainer: Bob Baffert 

A galloping 4 ¾-length winner of the Robert B. Lewis (G3) over a sloppy track, Mucho Gusto has three wins from five starts and has never been off the board. Second to A-List sophomore Improbable three starts back in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), he followed up a first-out maiden win going six furlongs on Sept. 20, with a 1 ½-length score in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3) going seven furlongs on Nov. 17 at Del Mar. The odds-on favorite on three separate occasions, Mucho Gusto has been the post time favorite in four out of his five starts.

SPARKY VILLE 

Owner: Del Secco DCS Racing                                               

Trainer: Jeff Bonde 

A game nose winner of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) on April 10, he was dispatched at odds of 2-1 in the California Derby at Golden Gate and was really never a factor, finishing sixth, beaten eight lengths. Bonde has stated that the son of Candy Ride will be much better suited to the Barrera distance of seven furlongs. 

LAZARO BARRERA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
Race 8 of 10 Approximate post time 4:55 p.m. PT

1. Mucho Gusto—Joe Talamo—124

2. Sparky Ville—Victor Espinoza—124

3. Principe Carlo—Ruben Fuentes—120

4. Vantastic—Flavien Prat—120

5. Manhattan Up—Tiago Pereira—120

6. Synthesis—Rafael Bejarano—120