ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Bob Baffert is headed to the Breeders’ Cup in Kentucky subsequent month with the most probably favourite in the $2 million Juvenile.
Cave Rock romped to his 3rd directly victory, and 2d in a Grade 1 race, profitable the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes by way of 5 1/4 lengths on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Trained by way of Baffert, the 2-year-old son of Arrogate earned an automated berth for the BC Juvenile at Keeneland on Nov. 4.
Baffert can be allowed to go into horses in the two-day international championships since the Lexington observe isn’t owned by way of Churchill Downs Inc., which has banned him from its tracks for two years for repeated medicine violations.
Baffert is suing the house of the Kentucky Derby in an effort to opposite the ban, which saved him out of this yr’s Derby and is ready to bar him once more in 2023.
Although Baffert is not having a look previous the Breeders’ Cup, Cave Rock’s co-owner Mike Pegram let his thoughts wander to the primary Saturday in May.
“I hope we have this much fun come springtime,” Pegram mentioned, alluding to the Kentucky Derby. “You always think about that, but we got to hope he comes back healthy.”
Ridden by way of Juan Hernandez, Cave Rock led the entire means in operating 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.05. Sent off because the 2-5 favourite, the darkish bay colt paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.
“He’s a powerful horse, he’s tough and he’s quick,” Baffert mentioned. “He looks like a 3-year-old.”
Baffert saddled part of the eight-horse box, together with his entries completing in 1-2-3-4 order. It used to be his eleventh victory in the race named for his 2015 Triple Crown winner.
“I can’t remember running one, two, three, four ever,” he mentioned.
National Treasure returned $5.60 and $3.20. Hejazi used to be some other 3 1/2 lengths again in 3rd and paid $2.40 to turn. Gandolfini used to be fourth.
Cave Rock is a son of Arrogate, winner of the 2016 BC Classic, and Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup, each in 2017.
(*1*) Baffert mentioned. “I’ve been lucky that way.”
Cave Rock used to be coming off a 5 1/4-length win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity remaining month. He gained his profession debut by way of six lengths in August at Del Mar.
The colt used to be purchased for $550,000 as a yearling and is owned by way of longtime Baffert shoppers Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. Pegram mentioned Cave Rock is called for a landmark in the South Lake Tahoe space.
“You look at him, you see him travel on the track, I mean he’s everything a guy would want,” Pegram mentioned. “There’s a whole lot of running to do. It’s still too early, but two Grade 1s, we’ll take it.”
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