The Jan. 29 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park looms a showdown of horses trained by Bob Baffert, with the Hall of Fame having four of the five entrants for the $200,000 seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds, including all of the favorites.
The most accomplished of Baffert's quartet is two-time graded stakes winner Havnameltdown, fresh off a 1 1/4- length score going seven eighths in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3) Nov. 20 at Del Mar for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. Leading rider Juan Hernandez is aloft.
A first-out maiden five-furlong winner July 24, Havnameltdown then marched to a gate-to-wire victory in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) at six furlongs Aug. 14. In his only defeat, Havnameltdown ran second, beaten 5 1/2 lengths by his highly regarded stablemate Cave Rock in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 11.
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Florida-bred Havnameltdown, a bay colt by the Lion Heart stallion Uncaptured, was purchased for $200,000 from Blas Perez Stables for $200,000 at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. With three wins from four starts, he's the leading money earner in the field with $288,000.
Michael Lund Petersen's Faustin, another one of Baffert's four entries, was an even pricier buy at the same sale, acquired for $800,000 from the De Meric Sales consignment.
He ran to that price tag in his debut, overcoming a somewhat sluggish opening furlong to score by 2 3/4 lengths Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. As a son of Curlin out of multiple grade 1 winner Hard Not to Like, the flashy gray Faustin would appear to have a pedigree to succeed over a longer distance. Ramon Vazquez rides.
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Off at even money in his lone race Oct. 30, Baffert's Fort Warren raced in front virtually gate-to-wire fashion for a half-length score under Hernandez, defeating next-out winner Spun Intended. With Hernandez committed to Havnameltdown, Hall of Famer John Velazquez takes over on the $550,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.
Another son of Curlin, Fort Warren is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
Those same owners and Baffert are also represented by Gilmore, who broke his maiden by four lengths going a mile at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 10 in his second outing. Off at 1-5 with Hernandez up, he rallied powerfully off the turn for home.
Hall of Famer Mike Smith picks up the ride on the $250,000 Keeneland September Sale purchase from the consignment of Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency.
In a seemingly impossible role that would redefine upset should he win, trainer Ryan Hanson's Man Child will take on team Baffert in what will be his sixth career start. The son of Creative Cause was most recently second, beaten a head as the 6-5 favorite in an ungraded 6 1/2-furlong stakes at Turf Paradise Dec. 21.
Earlier in his career, Man Child was a well-beaten third behind Havnameltdown in his second start in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar for owners California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing, Michelle (Yu) Hanson, Richard Pearson, Timothy Husted, and Robert Drenk., Man Child, who has an overall mark of 1-1-2 in five races, The 20-1 morning-line chance will be ridden back by Diego Herrera.
The five-horse San Vicente is positioned early on the Sunday card as the second race.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, January 29, 2023, Race 2Entries: San Vicente S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Havnameltdown (FL) Juan J. Hernandez 124 Bob Baffert 6/5 2 2Faustin (KY) Ramon A. Vazquez 120 Bob Baffert 8/5 3 3Fort Warren (KY) John R. Velazquez 120 Bob Baffert 3/1 4 4Man Child (KY) Diego A. Herrera 120 Ryan Hanson 20/1 5 5Gilmore (KY) Mike E. Smith 120 Bob Baffert 6/1
