Collected is now 2-for-2 in 2017 following Saturday's big win in the $200,000 Californian S. (G2) at Santa Anita, with bigger things on the horizon for the 4-year-old Bob Baffert trainee.
After winning the Santana Mile on April 1 by 3 3/4-lengths, Collected took the Californian by the exact same margin. The chestnut colt showed a bit more speed this time, battling with Prime Attraction for the lead for about six furlongs before taking over with a half-mile to run. Collected cut the corner coming into the stretch full of run, drawing off to stop the clock in 1:47.73, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 104.
“He’s really matured into a big strong horse and now we’re able to conserve that speed a little bit,” said Baffert. “Before, he was just wanting to go, go, go and now he’s learning to conserve. The more he’s learning to conserve it, the more we’re able to stretch him out a little. He handled it really well today, even with pressure.
“We wanted to see what he would do here and how he comes out of it, but the Gold Cup (Grade I, $500,000, 1 ¼ miles on May 27 at Santa Anita) is possible.
Owned by Peter Fluor's Speedway Stable, Collected in now 6-1-0 in nine outings and has earned $600,500. Collected is Baffert's second winner of the Californian, joining Game On Dude, who won the 2012 running when the race was held at Hollywood Park.