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.
Adare Manor is a late-blooming Baffert barn starAmong 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:
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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.
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.
