In the $100,500 Summertime Oaks (G3) June 13 at Santa Anita Park, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert notched his record sixth victory in the race when he saddled the victorious Mizumi.
Under jockey Juan Hernandez, the 3-year-old daughter of Justify broke on the rail and settled into the third position off the longshot pacesetter Daring Pursuit, who posted fractions of :23.31, :46.74, and 1:10.67. As the 3-5 post-time favorite, Mizumi raced under a comfortable hold down the backstretch tracking the leaders. She began to inch closer while riding the rail around the far turn. As the field moved into the stretch drive, she swung outside her competition and came under a ride, chasing new leader Wolf Hill. Mizumi breezed past that rival and opened up in the final sixteenth, hitting the wire 3 3/4 lengths the best. She stopped the clock for the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.41, and paid $3.20 for the win.
Wolf Hill held second, and the Ryan Hanson trainee Bank Shot finished third. The second choice in the betting pools at odds of 2-1, Marjoram, raced toward the back of the field throughout and was never a factor, finishing fifth of six.
Lightly raced, Mizumi earns a graded stakes victory in just her second career start. The homebred for Baoma Corp broke her maiden May 2 at Santa Anita, going 6 1/2 furlongs, and took another step up in the Summertime Oaks, proving she can go the distance.
