Back under the careful hands of Frankie Dettori, Country Grammer delivered a resounding finale to his 2022 season in the Dec. 26 $200,000 San Antonio Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
Giving trainer Bob Baffert his third of five wins on opening day of the track's Classic Meet, the horse arrived at the Arcadia oval after three separate runner-up trips in graded company. He had not tasted victory since a valiant run in the March 26 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) with Dettori at the reins.
As Baffert made his way to the winner's circle, he could not hold in his smile as he told FanDuel TV's Britney Eurton what the win meant to him and his team.
"This horse is the neatest, coolest horse. He has really brought us up when we were really down," Baffert said. "He has come through, he's a clutch horse. That little freshening really helped him and he's been doing so great. He likes a deep track."
Setting out over the main track to sit smoothly in fourth amongst the six-horse field, Country Grammer looked unbothered as he traveled just off the pace in :22.76 and moved up to third in :46.16 with Hopkins setting the pace and Stilleto Boy right behind in second.
After six furlongs in 1:10.35, Dettori edged his mount forward to pass the leaders and the 5-year-old son of Tonalist responded eagerly, bounding ahead as the final turn passed. Down the stretch he continued to add further distance between him and his foes to hit the mile mark at 1:36.57.
With Stilletto Boy as his closest challenger yet still a good 4 1/2 lengths back, Country Grammer received a pat from a jubilant Dettori as the pair passed the wire first to take the 1 1/16 mile event in 1:43.45.
Stilletto Boy was second with Heywoods Beach moving up to nab third.
Country Grammer ($3.20) improved his record to 5-5-1 from 14 starts and increased his earnings to $11,277,320 for owners Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, Winstar Farm, and Zedan Racing Stables.
A $110,000 purchase by WinStar from the Lane's End consignment at the 2021 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, Country Grammer is out of the Forestry mare Arabian Song who has four winners from six foals to race. The dam also has Joyful Cadence who was third in the Oct. 8 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
Despite being one of racing's most recognizable figures with countless years of international experience, Dettori told Eurton he was tense ahead of his ride in front of the packed Santa Anita grandstand.
"The pressure is on. I'm here for 10 weeks and to ride straight away on the first day... I felt it a bit and once he had the race well at the furlong marker I was able to enjoy the crowd," Dettori said. "They were all screaming."
Though the stress of the moment may have been palpable, the faith Baffert had in the horse was reassuring.
"Bob was very confident. Drawing six is good for him because at least I can move whenever I want. He's a tough horse and you wouldn't do that with another horse, sending him at the 3/8ths. But he's got the lungs to take it in," Dettori said. "He won like a good horse again. That was an amazing comeback run."
As for Baffert, it seems as if he would not have chosen any other rider. He says he was delighted to have Dettori back in the saddle for the win as the jockey approaches his final year of riding in 2023.
"I'm happy for Frankie Dettori, I mean who better? This is his last year and to have him on there and win a race like this. I can't believe the crowd today it's crazy, it's like a Breeders' Cup day."
Baffert told Eurton he was encouraged to see how many people came out despite the beginning of the meet being placed during the holiday season.
"It shows you that racing is still strong and these are all fans. When you see this place as packed as it is, it gives us a good feeling that there is a future here. It's great for California racing," he said.
