Defunded, a tough 2-year-old with gate issues three years ago, overcame them beautifully to lead throughout the May 29 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita Park despite a determined Piroli dogging him throughout the 1 1/4 miles. Defunded handed trainer Bob Baffert his ninth victory in the race and the undisputed Gold Cup crown, a title Baffert had shared with the late Charlie Whittingham.
#4 DEFUNDED ($3.20) had to dig in but did exactly that to go wire to wire in the Hollywood Gold Cup (GI).
— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 29, 2023
The son of Dialed In was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 and is trained by Bob Baffert.
Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/Xq4rl4ejzp
Though he inadvertently showed a new dimension in the April 22 Californian Stakes (G2) when he hopped in the air at the start and came away last, Defunded in the Gold Cup reverted to the front-running style that has suited him best throughout his career. Jockey Juan Hernandez let the 3-5 favorite come away from the gate on his own terms, with Defunded running easily on the front end.
Despite the presence of multi-millionaire Country Grammer (also trained by Baffert) and grade 3 winner Senor Buscador, it was Piroli who pulled the biggest surprise in the race, and he did it from the very beginning. A 28-1 longshot who usually runs from off the pace and was making his stakes debut, Piroli stuck right with Defunded from the get-go and peskily refused to go away.
Defunded galloped to the finish line the first time, completing the first quarter-mile in a relaxed :23.89, but there was Piroli and jockey Kent Desormeaux. Around the first turn, Defunded continued to roll along, and so did Piroli.
Defunded finally put a little daylight between himself and Piroli on the backstretch, only to have the longshot close ground yet again. As they led the field into the second turn, Piroli really put the pressure on and pulled even with Defunded. But as game as Piroli was, Defunded performed his job like the old pro he has become.
As the wire approached, Defunded extended his lead back to a length, his official margin of victory over Piroli, while completing the distance in 2:02.85. Another longshot, Kiss Today Goodbye, had raced in third on the outside of the leading pair, and he held on for the show spot, 3 1/4 lengths behind Piroli and a half-length in front of Country Grammer. Senor Buscador and Yes This Time rounded out the field.
"This horse got the lead and he wasn't going to let anybody pass him," said Baffert. "He's getting better, and I was happy to see him get the mile and a quarter."
Hernandez noted the professionalism that Defunded demonstrated.
"He broke really comfortably," said Santa Anita's leading jockey. "He was pulling me on the backside, which is a really good sign. I waited until the last quarter, and he switched leads and gave me two good jumps toward the wire. He really didn't get tired."
Hernandez was winning his second grade 1 of the afternoon. One race earlier, he piloted Exaulted to victory in the Shoemaker Mile (G1T).
"I dream of these big races," Hernandez said. "They are coming to me thanks to my agent, Craig O'Bryan."
Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman own Defunded, who prior to the Gold Cup excelled more at 1 1/8 miles. The gelding won the Californian, 2022 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), and 2022 Native Diver Stakes (G3) at that distance. In his only previous attempts at 1 1/4 miles, Defunded ran second in last year's Gold Cup and third in this year's Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
"The mile and a quarter has always been a question mark with him," Baffert said. "Juan rode him very well, and the horse has really matured and is relaxing."
Pegram, Watson, and Weitman bought Defunded in the name of Three Amigos for $210,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Eaton Sales sold the son of Dialed In , and Athens Woods LLC bred him in Kentucky.
"This horse is getting good, so we are going to enjoy it," said Pegram.
Baffert's success in the Gold Cup dates to Real Quiet in 1999, his first win in the race, and 12 years after Ferdinand gave Whittingham his final Gold Cup winner. Baffert won that first Gold Cup for Pegram, who famously had urged Baffert to switch from training Quarter Horses to Thoroughbreds. Following Real Quiet's victory, Baffert continued with Congaree in 2003, First Dude in 2011, Game On Dude in 2012-13, Cupid in 2017, Improbable in 2020, and Country Grammer in 2021.
"It's an honor to win this race," said Baffert. "It's a very important race."
The Gold Cup began in 1938 at Hollywood Park, with Seabiscuit taking the inaugural running. Other winners have included Citation, Swaps, Round Table, Gallant Man, Native Diver, Ack Ack, Affirmed, Best Pal, Cigar, and Lava Man. Santa Anita has hosted the race since 2014.
