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Post-Race Review Jockey Tyler Baze scored the victory in a Santa Anita feature race on yet another longshot as he guided 7 – 1 Battle of Hastings (GB) to the wire in a roughly run Baldwin Stakes (gr. III). A field of seven was left after the scratch of Dream of Kaylee, with Flashmans Papers (GB) the favorite. Luckiest Man broke running in the 6 1/2 furlong turf sprint, and led Flashmans Papers and the aggressive Brother Keith, sent off as the second choice, in the early stages of the race. Running down the hill and to the wire, Flashmans Papers collared Luckiest Man, but they were all run down by Battle of Hastings, who darted under the wire to stop the clock in 1:11.86.
Jeff Mullins trains the winner for Michael House. Battle of Hastings paid $17.60 to win, topping a $26.50 exacta with Flashmans Papers. Preemo, the CASE choice in the race, was rallying strongly on the inside and looked as if he would either hit the board or possibly outkick Battle of Hastings for the win, but broke down a few strides from the wire. Preemo walked onto the horse ambulance and was vanned off of the course.
Pre-Race Analysis Sunday’s feature at Santa Anita is the 6 1/2 furlong Baldwin Stakes (gr. III), a $100,000 race run on the downhill turf course. Eight horses line up, led by the highly regarded Bobby Frankel-trainee Brother Keith, who has disappointed in two Triple Crown prep races so far this year since winning a 6 1/2 furlong maiden race at Churchill Downs in the fall. Brother Keith’s pedigree points to turf, and under Garrett Gomez, Brother Keith should be competitive here. However, attention must be drawn to Preemo, 8/1 on the morning line and the clear CASE choice. Though unraced since taking a six furlong turf maiden on December 13th by 2 3/4 lengths, the son of Vindication earned a 106 for Aerobic Efficiency and an 89 for Endurance in that race for an average of 88.5. Joel Rosario retains the mount for trainer Jenine Sahadi.
Dream of Kaylee is a son of Cactus Ridge who debuted last May in a Grade III at Churchill Downs and finished third with a rough trip, but rebounded after a layoff to win a six furlong maiden race at Santa Anita on October 26th. That win earned a sharp 95 for Stride Quality. On December 28, Dream of Kaylee finished third in an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs on the All Weather with an 86 for Stride Quality. Mike Smith, the colt’s fourth jockey in four starts, will ride.
Dream Now starts for trainer Julio Canani, and the gray colt won a maiden race over the same distance and course here on New Year’s Day by 5 1/4 lengths, which earned a 102 for Aerobic Efficiency and a 91 for Stride Quality. Entered again at 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill, Dream Now finished seventh when the race came off the turf, and should improve today.
Since arriving from England, Flashmans Papers (GB) has won two of three starts for new trained Doug O’Neill and jockey Rafael Bejarano, including the Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on the grass here on December 27th. Flashmans Papers won a six furlong turf allowance at Hollywood Park before that Eddie Logan win, so the distance should not be an issue for the Exceed and Excel (AUS) colt.
Luckiest Man, Battle of Hastings (GB), and Beauteous Maximus complete the field.
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Emily Shields is a regular contributor to Case the Race. She has written for California Thoroughbred, Churchill Downs media, and international racing magazines.
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