Havnameltdown Leads Baffert 1-2-3 Finish in San Vicente

With only four 3-year-olds facing the starting gate in the Jan. 29 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert had a good chance for the Trifecta. After all, he trains three of the four. And that's exactly what happened, as Havnameltdown defeated Faustin and Fort Warren in the seven-furlong race. Baffert said that both Faustin and Fort Warren want two turns, while Havnameltdown is "built for this distance." Thus, the result didn't surprise many. Bettors sent off Havnameltdown and Faustin at even money, with Havnameltdown listed as the favorite. Fort Warren was 9/2. Havnameltdown drew the rail and went right to the front for jockey Juan Hernandez. Man Child, the only horse not trained by Baffert, ran second, followed by Faustin on the rail and Fort Warren trailing. As the compact field headed to the turn, Faustin moved into second and for maybe a stride or two looked like he might challenge Havnameltdown. Hernandez simply let out a notch, though, and Havnameltdown kept daylight between himself and his stablemate. "He was having fun out there," said Hernandez. "He was kind of waiting for horses—I was doing the same thing. I was just waiting for him and waiting for the competition to get close to me so I could start making my horse run. At the three-eighths, I felt the pressure a little bit and I asked him and he responded really well. Turning for home, he switched leads and he picked it up by himself." At one point in the stretch, Havnameltdown pulled out to a three-length margin, but when Hernandez didn't push his mount, the colt reached the wire 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Faustin. Havnameltdown stopped the timer in 1:22.29 after setting fractions of :22.46, :45.46, and 1:09.67. Fort Warren finished 8 3/4 lengths behind Faustin in third. Havnameltdown paid $4 to win. "I think Havnameltdown is a top-class sprinter," said Baffert. "He's been training really well for this. He's had the experience and he's fast." Havnameltdown has won four of five races with one second, all at five, six, or seven furlongs. Last year he debuted in a five-furlong maiden race at Del Mar, won the six-furlong Best Pal Stakes (G3) and seven-furlong Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at that track, and in between those two stakes finished second to Baffert-trained Cave Rock in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G1). Baffert indicated he would keep Havnameltdown at sprint distances, while Faustin and Fort Warren will stretch out. "Faustin is still carrying a lot of weight—he's not there yet," Baffert said. "I think racing is going to help him, so he'll be all right." Faustin and Fort Warren are sons of Curlin, while Havnameltdown is by Uncaptured out of the Put It Back mare Ashley's Babe. Baffert trains Havnameltdown for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. The owners purchased Havnameltdown in the name of Three Amigos from Blas Perez Stable for $200,000 at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Sales spring sale of 2-year-olds. Katherine S. Devall bred Havnameltdown in Florida, and Perez bought him for $16,000 at the 2021 OBS October yearling sale from the consignment of Beth Bayer.