Bob Baffert is a world-famous trainer for his masterful handling of 3-year-old colts, most of whom were precocious stars at 2. He’s won a record 17 American classics, including two Triple Crowns, and 15 of his 22 Eclipse champions were males. Of his six Hall of Famers — Silver Charm, Silverbulletday, Point Given, American Pharoah, Justify, Arrogate — only Silverbulletday was a female.
Among his current stars is two-time Grade 1 winner Adare Manor, a late-blooming 5-year-old mare who could be described as the anti-Baffert. A late bloomer who didn’t follow the Baffert Protocol, she was 0-for-2 at 2. She did flash brilliance at 3, breaking her maiden by 12 lengths in her season debut before crushing the Grade 3 Las Virgenes by 13, but she didn’t take the next big step.
She ran second in the Santa Anita Oaks and the Black-Eyed Susan and didn’t win a Grade 1 until her 12th start, the 1 1/16-mile Clement L. Hirsch Stakes last August. On Saturday the front-runner named for an Irish golf resort will try to repeat at Del Mar.
Adare Manor keeps improving with age. Since April 2023 she’s 6-for-8 with one second in Grade 1 and 2 company, with the only dud a seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She dominated her last two races, the Apple Blossom and Santa Margarita, by a combined 9¾ lengths. She’s 9-5-0 in 17 races with earnings of $1,856,600 for Michael Lund Peterson.
The long-striding, physically imposing daughter of Uncle Mo – “She’s an Amazon,” Baffert said – can take another step toward redemption in the Distaff in November at Del Mar.
For those who bet horse racing, here’s a horse-by-horse analysis from the rail out, with trainer, jockey and odds in parentheses:
1. FLYING CONNECTION
(Todd Fincher, Joe Talamo, 20-1)
Distant second to Adare Manor in Apple Blossom is her season highlight. Her 0-for-6 record in graded stakes says no chance.
Betting verdict: Toss
2. ADARE MANOR
(Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 3-5)
She’s 4-for-6 at the distance with a pace advantage. Led throughout her last two, so expect the same tactics. Intimidating favorite.
Betting verdict: Beat her to win
3. SCYLLA
(Bill Mott, Mike Smith, 6-1)
Full sister to multiple-stakes winner Tacitus is 6-for-7 in the exacta and recently beat graded stakes winners Shotgun Hottie, Taxed, Xigera, and Wet Paint in Kentucky. Makes Grade 1 debut on three-race win streak with competitive figures. Main threat to Adare Manor.
Betting verdict: Win contender
4. COFFEE IN BED
(Richard Mandella, Kazushi Kimura, 15-1)
Daughter of Curlin chased Adare Manor when second by 4¼ lengths in Santa Margarita, her top race yet. Belongs in exotics, won’t win.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
5. DESERT DAWN
(Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu, 10-1)
Second by a length in last year’s Hirsch, her best run in four losses to Adare Manor. Dropped nine of last 10, 3-for-21 lifetime, with nine seconds or thirds. Earned $998,525 but money burner for win bettors.
Betting verdict: Toss
6. SUGAR FISH
(Jeff Mullins, Tyler Baze, 12-1)
Improving 3-year-old made breakthrough in last with 9¾-length runaway in Grade 2 Summer Oaks. Runner-up Nothing Like You is Grade 1 winner, so this filly’s Grade 1 debut may not be that big a reach.
Betting verdict: Live longshot
7. OLIVIA TWIST
(Todd Fincher, Reylu Gutierrez, 30-1)
She’s 0-for-7 in stakes since December 2022, with last win in a $15,000 optional claimer at Sunland Park.
Betting verdict: Toss
8. PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS
(Brendan Walsh, Umberto Rispoli, 8-1)
Last year’s 3-year-old champion filly gets class relief after running third in Grade 1’s behind stars Idiomatic and Randomize. Sharp workouts prepping for the easiest field she’s faced this year.