Cave Rock dominates American Pharoah Stakes as Bob Baffert sweeps major 4 spots

The road to the Kentucky Derby constantly appears to go by way of Bob Baffert, but rarely after a race like this. But first, there is the additional difficulty that the hall of fame trainer is not qualified to operate in the Derby.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Baffert completed initially, second, third and fourth in the 8-horse Grade 1 $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes as Cave Rock gained his 3rd consecutive life time race in winning the Derby prep by 5 1/4 lengths. It was a dominating overall performance and gave the horse an automated bid in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Nov. 4.

Cave Rock immediately went to the front in the 1 1/16-mile race and cruised close to the backstretch with a slight guide heading into the property stretch. Jockey Juan Hernandez employed the whip after in the early stretch and then hand-rode him simply to the end line. Hernandez has ridden him in all a few of his races, such as a 5 1/4-length win in the Del Mar Futurity 4 weeks in the past.

“I can not keep in mind jogging a person, two, three, four, at any time,” Baffert stated. “The actually good kinds appear all around promptly and he’s generally been distinctive. He’s built unique than [his sire] Arrogate. He’s powerful, much better and he’s quick. ... He just retains increasing.”

Cave Rock paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Countrywide Treasure was second adopted by Hejazi, Gandolfini, Man Kid, Skimmer, Macnamara and Odonata.

“At initial, he was kind of hunting around a little bit around the turn, when he bought the guide,” Hernandez claimed. “He was all video game and after that, he started out improving upon his tempo and he just retained likely.”

Baffert’s existence in the Kentucky Derby is below a molasses-like journey by the courts in Kentucky immediately after Medina Spirit, who in the beginning gained the Derby last calendar year in advance of remaining disqualified, examined optimistic for a authorized medicine, but not legal on race day.

Churchill Downs, where the Derby is operate, in an unparalleled shift, ruled Baffert off its tracks for two several years. The Kentucky Horse Racing Fee suspended Baffert for 90 days, which he has already served. Baffert carries on to combat for Medina Spirit’s acquire to be restored, along with his banishment from Churchill Downs.

If Cave Rock, or any of his other standouts, looks to be Kentucky Derby prepared, Baffert will possible transfer them to a further coach, unless litigation improvements his status. This calendar year, his two top rated Derby potential clients have been transferred to Tim Yakteen, who was when Baffert’s assistant.

Mainly because Baffert was ineligible to acquire any Kentucky Derby qualifying details from Saturday’s race, only 1 of the 20 details was awarded, to Person Youngster, for his fifth-spot finish.

But there is a very long way to go involving now and the initial Saturday in May perhaps and 2-12 months-olds not often are make-or-break if a horse is to be a severe Kentucky Derby contender.

Also on Saturday’s card was the Grade 2 $200,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-calendar year-old fillies, a qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks and a earn-and-you’re-in race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. And Convey to Me Nolies rallied 3-broad coming into the extend to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 3-quarters of a length. The Peter Miller trainee, ridden by Ramon Vasquez, paid $18.80 to acquire. Uncontrollable was next and Justique was 3rd. Like Cave Rock, And Notify Me Nolies was sired by Arrogate, who was at the time qualified by Baffert.

There was a further Quality 1 Breeders’ Cup qualifier on Saturday’s card, the Rodeo Drive for Filly & Mare Turf runners. Heading to Vegas went gate-to-wire to earn by 1 ¼ lengths over Spouse and children Way. Going to Vegas, trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, paid out $7.20 to earn the 1 1/4-mile race.