For those who believe there is indeed a home track advantage, your betting strategy for the Breeders’ Cup must include the Santa Anita success of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Sure, fellow Hall of Famer Richard Mandella sent out a record four winners 20 years ago at Santa Anita, including Pleasantly Perfect in the 2003 Classic. And, the trainer has a chance at two more wins in next weekend’s 40th Breeders’ Cup with Tamara in the Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Nov. 3 and with Geaux Rocket Ride in the Classic on Nov. 4.
Not only that, Mandella has a total of nine wins in the 10 Breeders’ Cups run at Santa Anita – more than any other trainer, including Baffert, who has seven of his 18 BC wins at Santa Anita.
However, despite the controversy surrounding Baffert over the past 2 ½ years, including being banned from running horses in the Kentucky Derby (G1) the past two years with another year tacked on by Churchill Downs, the 70-year-old trainer is undeterred.
Breeder’s Cup Contenders: Baffert pre-enters nine in seven races
Medina Spirit and Bob Baffert- Photo Courtesy Of Churchill Downs
Baffert pre-entered nine horses in seven of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races, with three in the Juvenile (G1) — Prince of Monaco, Muth, and Wine Me Up. At this point, if these colts go on to become Derby contenders, they will need to be transferred to another trainer at some point to gain qualifying points for a chance at the Run for the Roses.
On the second day of the Breeders’ Cup, the four-time Classic winning trainer sends out Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure in the Dirt Mile (G1), Eda in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), Du Jour in the Mile (G1), Adore Manor in the Distaff (G1), Speed Boat Beach in the Sprint (G1), and Arabian Knight (G1) in the Classic.
“I’m happy right now in the position we’re coming up to. It’s exciting this time of year because of the Breeders’ Cup, two days of great racing,’’ he said. “You’re seeing the best trainers, best jockeys, best horses. Breeders’ Cup races are tough to win. They’re just tough. You’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game, gotta get the trip because you’re up against the best.”
Baffert may have a slight edge over Mandella in the Classic after Arabian Knight held off Geaux Rocket Ride by a neck in the Pacific Classic (G1). Both races are 1 ¼ miles. New York-based Arcangelo, the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) winner is the likely favorite.
Baffert’s BC winners at Santa Anita came in the Classic (Bayern, 2014 and Arrogate, 2016), the Juvenile (Midshipman, 2008 and New Year’s Day, 2013), and the Sprint (Midnight Lute, 2008, Secret Circle, 2013, and Defrong, 2016).
41 Santa Anita horses among 205 pre-entries
Baffert and Mandella are not the only California-based trainers hoping Santa Anita works well for them.
A total of 41 horses from Santa Anita (out of 205 overall) were pre-entered on Wednesday (Oct. 25). Some were pre-entered into the main body of the field; others could be eligible in the event of withdrawals.
Here’s the rundown, according to Santa Anita Park (some horses were cross-entered, but the list is based on first preference):
Friday (Nov. 3)
Juvenile Turf Sprint — In: Slider (John Sadler); Needs help: Dark Vintage (Peter Eurton); April Vintage (Peter Miller)
Juvenile Fillies — In: Tamara (Richard Mandella); Chatalas (Mark Glatt); Esprit Enchante (Peter Miller)
Juvenile Fillies Turf — In: Dreamfyre (O.J. Jauregui); Flattery (Peter Eurton. Needs help: Where’s My Ring (Val Brinkerhoff)
Juvenile — In: Prince of Monaco (Bob Baffert); Muth (Bob Baffert); Wine Me Up (Bob Baffert)
Juvenile Turf — In: Endlessly (Michael McCarthy); Stay Hot (Peter Eurton)
Saturday (Nov. 4)
Dirt Mile — In: Practical Move (Tim Yakteen); National Treasure (Bob Baffert)
Filly & Mare Turf — In: Closing Remarks (Carla Gaines)
Filly & Mare Sprint — In: Kirstenbosch (John Sadler); Clearly Unhinged (Michael McCarthy); Eda (Bob Baffert); Elm Drive (Phil D’Amato)
Mile — In: Du Jour (Bob Baffert); Exaulted (Peter Eurton). Needs help: Masteroffoxhounds (Phil D’Amato); Astronomer (Simon Callaghan.
Distaff — In: Adare Manor (Bob Baffert); Desert Dawn (Phil D’Amato)
Turf — In: Balladeer (George Papaprodromou); Gold Phoenix (Phil D’Amato)
Classic — In: Arabian Knight (Bob Baffert); Geaux Rocket Ride (Richard Mandella); Needs help: Missed the Cut (John Sadler)
Turf Sprint — In: Motorious (Phil D’Amato); Tony Ann, (Phil D’Amato) Needs help: Beer Can Man (Phil D’Amato); Lane Way (Richard Mandella); Hamwood Flier (Phil D’Amato)
Sprint — In: Dr. Schivel (Mark Glatt); Speed Boat Beach (Bob Baffert); The Chosen Vron (Eric Kruljac); American Theorem, George Papaprodromou
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
