Kaleem Shah's Fed Biz made amends for a disappointing run in the Dec. 26 Malibu S. (G1) with an impressive gate to wire win in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Fernando S. The win was record fifth in the race for his trainer Bob Baffert.

Sent from the gate by Mike Smith, Fed Biz set fractions of 23.59, 47.28, 1:11.41 and 1:36.08, with both Tritap and Handsome Mike in close pursuit. In the final three furlongs, Tritap made Fed Biz work every step of the way, but the 4-year-old was up to the task, prevailing by a head in 1:42.34 for the 1 1/16 miles.

“I expect so much from this horse, when he loses, it’s very disappointing,” said Baffert. “He’s a very talented horse and he was good today going to the gate and he ran well. In the Malibu, he went to the gate and he tried to sit down in there…so it was a tough go.”

“I really liked him when I breezed him before the race on opening day (for the Malibu) and for some reason he got really hot,” said Smith. “I hadn’t taken two steps inside the gate and he was over, (and he) threw me out the back, and he just wasn’t right after that.”

Fed Biz (right) takes the G2 San Fernando

After Saturday's victory, Smith said that Fed Biz is showing his maturity.

“Early on, he used to be a little stubborn about switching to his right (lead). Once I got him over there, he’s game, he wouldn’t let somebody by him unless they surprised him.”

Baffert indicated that the Grade 2 Strub S. on Feb. 2 could be a bit too soon, making the March 2, Grade 1 Santa Anita H. a more likely option

“I ran him back too quick after we beat Jimmy Creed (in the El Cajon Stakes, Aug. 31) at Del Mar,” said Baffert. “I don’t want to do that again.”

With the winner’s share of $90,000 in his first graded stakes win, Fed Biz increased his bankroll to $274,456, with an overall mark of 8-4-0-1.