Cupid's 4-year-old debut couldn't have turned out better as the striking gray colt rolled home in the Santa Anita Park stretch to win the $500,000 Gold Cup (G1) by 3 1/4-lengths.
The son of Tapit had been away from the races since an off the board finish in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) last September, but the multiple Grade 2 winner showed no rustiness in his first attempt at 1 1/4-miles.
Cupid got away from the gate very well, but Rafael Bejarano took his mount off the lead, allowing stablemate American Freedom to battle with Prime Attraction and Midnight Storm for the top spot.
With the trio of leaders getting a half-mile in :46.52, Cupid began to make his move three-wide on the turn, and came into the stretch with a short lead over Midnight Storm. Cupid quickly drew away from the Grade 1 winner and went on to a commanding 3 1/4-length win in 2:00.89 on fast track.
Baffert was already looking ahead when interviewed on TVG shortly after the win.
“We'll probably ship out to run somewhere next,” said Baffert. “The way he ran today, it looks like he can run with any of the top ones.”
Cupid won a trio of Grade 2 races last year and is now 5-1-0 in 10 starts and has earned $1636,803 for his owners Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith.
Saturday's win was Baffert's first Gold Cup since the race moved to Santa Anita in 2014 from its former home at Hollywood Park, where he won the final three runnings, twice with Game On Dude and First Dude. He also captured the track's marquee race with Congaree in 2003 and Real Quiet in 1999.