Coil, who had already surpassed the $1 million career earnings mark, prevailed in a thrilling stretch duel to win Saturday’s $150,000 San Pasqual S. (G2) by a head, giving the 5-year-old Bob Baffert trainee his fourth career graded stakes win in his final start prior to stud duty in California.

As expected, Ultimate Eagle was sent from the gate to establish a length and half lead over Coil  in the first half-mile. Coil began to cut into the lead around the final turn, getting within a half-length at the top of the stretch. The pair dueled the final two furlongs, with Coil getting the better of his foe to finish the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.52.

“I had a really good horse inside of me (Ultimate Eagle) and I just tried to follow the way he was going,” said winning rider Martin Garcia. “When I asked him to go, he just responded, and that was it. He has been a really good horse for a long time.”

Coil goes out a winner in the G2 San Pasqual S.

Although the San Pasqual is an important steppingstone to the Santa Anita H. (G1) on March 2, it was widely reported prior to the race that the son of Point Given, who Baffert also trained, was headed to a career at stud in California this winter.

“That was it,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “He’ll be retired to stud. He’ll go to Magali Farm. I think he deserves to be retired. He’s good. He’s very healthy right now, but it’s time to send him to stud.”

Owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, Coil ran his earnings to $1,154,360 with a record of 7-2-3 from 14. Besides the San Pasqual, Coil had wins in the Haskell I. (G1), Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G1), and Affirmed H. (G3).

This was also Baffert's fourth San Pasqual win, tied for the most all-time. His previous winners were Silver Charm (1999), Wooden Phone (2002), and Congaree (2003).