Plutarch Intrepid narrowly escaped the late recreation and received G3. Robert B. Lewis Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita, giving Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert his eighth consecutive victory and 14th victory within the 1-mile race for 3-year-old horses.
Intrepid (4-1), who received final yr’s American Pharoah Stakes (G1), took the lead, ridden by Hector Berrios, however confronted quite a lot of robust chasers, together with Plutarch (4-1) and Florent Geroux. Down the backstretch, Plutarch and Intrepid raced aspect by aspect on the entrance finish close to the second nook.
On the head of the straight Plutarch started to interrupt away, however Intrepid fought again alongside the within and Plutarch inched away once more to win by three-quarters of a size.
“I felt like he was bending fastidiously for me and main me to an excellent place,” stated Geroux, who relocated from the Fairgrounds to Santa Anita this week. “He responded very nicely after I requested him to go down the lane, however he waited somewhat bit on the within for the horse. As quickly as he got here by me, my horse gave me one other gear.”
Plutarch, a offspring of Into Mischief, received in 1 minute 37.02 seconds. It was his first stakes victory and first dust victory. Final yr, Plutarch completed third behind Intrepid within the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) on dust and recorded his first win on 1.5 miles of turf on Nov. 30 at Del Mar.
“This horse jogs my memory of Genuine. He continues to get higher each week,” Reverend Baffert stated. “I do not assume distance can be a difficulty for him. That is thrilling. He is legit.”
Secured Freedom (3 wins, 1 loss), coach Tim Yakuteen’s two-turn debut, completed third with jockey Kazushi Kimura driving him. Desert Gate, a 6-5 favourite horse additionally skilled by Baffert, completed in fourth place after a sluggish begin, adopted by Cherokee Nation, additionally skilled by Baffert and from the identical secure, in fifth place.
“Desert Gate missed the break, and we knew that one gap was going to harm us,” Baffert stated. “I knew we have been in bother as a result of he was so one-dimensional.”
Intrepid, the Maximus Mischief colt skilled by Jeff Mullins, made his first begin since ending fifth within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on October thirty first.
“I did not actually anticipate him to be within the lead. I believed he’d be sitting within the pocket, perhaps third, however he makes breaks like that and also you simply should stay with it,” Mullins stated. “After being away for such a very long time, I am joyful along with his race.”
The victory improved Plutarch’s document to six:2-2-2 and earned him over $190,000. He’s owned by Mrs John Magnier, Mr Michael Taber and Mr Derrick Smith of the Coolmore enterprise.
“I’m very grateful to Coolmore for supporting me through the years,” Baffert stated. “We have been spending numerous time with Plutarch.”
Geroux expressed hope that Plutarch might develop right into a Kentucky Derby contender.
“After I got here right here, I used to be anticipating to discover a Derby horse, to be sincere,” Geroux stated. “Bob is a superb coach and he has received six Derbies so his document speaks for itself. It was an excellent honor to have the chance to journey for him.”
Plutarch paid $10.20, $3.80, and $2.80. Intrepido returned $4.60 and $3.40. Secured Freedom paid $3.80.
